Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Short-term, Intensive Psychodynamic Group Therapy Versus Cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy in the Day Treatment of Anxiety Disorders and Comorbid Depressive or Personality Disorders
Brief Summary: Background: Psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral group therapies are frequently applied in day hospitals in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and comorbid depressive or personality disorders in Poland. There is not enough evidence for its effectiveness in this environment. This study addresses this gap. The aim is to determine the effectiveness of the two kinds of day treatments consisting of intensive, short-term group therapy: psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral for patients with anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders. Our objectives are: 1) Demonstrating effectiveness of each treatment in a day care setting relative to wait-list control; 2) Demonstrating the relative short- and long-term effectiveness of the two active treatments; 3) Preliminary examination of predictors and moderators of treatment response; and 4) Preliminary examination of mediators of therapeutic change; 5) Detailed comparison of impact of both methods of treatment on the outcome of used measures.

Methods/design: In this randomized controlled trial, a total of 123 patients with anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders will be assigned to one of three conditions: 1) psychodynamic group therapy; 2) cognitive-behavioral group therapy; 3) waiting list (control group). Therapy will last 12 weeks. Both treatments will be manualized (manuals will address comorbidity). Primary outcome measures are include self-report symptoms of anxiety, observer rated symptoms of anxiety, global improvement and dichotomized diagnosis of anxiety disorder. Secondary outcome measures include personality, depression, self-esteem, defense mechanisms, beliefs about self and others, interpersonal problems, object relations, parental bonding, meta-cognition, mindfulness and quality of life: symptoms of anxiety, depression, personality, self-esteem and defense mechanisms. Measures are taken at baseline, post-treatment and 3 months following the end of the therapy.

Discussion: The randomized controlled trial format is used to compare effectiveness of intensive group cognitive-behavior therapy and intensive group psychodynamic therapy for anxiety disorders and comorbid depressive or personality disorders. The rationale is to investigate how effectively anxiety disorders and comorbid personality disorders can be treated in a day hospital typical for Polish healthcare system in 3 months treatment.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* UCSF surgical interns entering training. Do not meet exclusion criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current personal mindfulness practice, medications with CNS effects, lifetime history of a mental disorder, acute or chronic immune or inflammatory disorders, pregnancy, breast-feeding or implanted MRI-incompatible metal.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Current diagnosis of Axis I anxiety disorder (based on M.I.N.I.)
* Diagnosis of comorbid personality disorder (based on SCID II) or depressive disorder (based on M.I.N.I.)
* Age: 18 to 65 years
* Sufficient knowledge of the Polish language
* Written informed consent of the patient

Exclusion Criteria:

* Organic disorder
* Acute substance related disorders
* Schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder
* Severe depression \[over 26 points in Beck Questionnaire\] or bipolar disorder.
* Dissocial personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder
* Current suicidal ideation with a high risk of suicide
* Restriction of intellectual capacity
* Serious unstable medical problems/complications
* Concurrent psychotherapeutic treatment
* Failed treatment of CBT or psychodynamic psychotherapy for anxiety
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants will be frontline hospital or long-term care home staff involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Canada or The United States of America.
2. Participants will be aged 18 to 70.
3. Participants will be willing and able to attend, via WebEx software, the introductory phase of SKY or HEP, as well as at least two of the four weekly follow-up sessions
4. Have sufficient hearing to follow verbal instructions.
5. Have an adequate understanding of English.
6. Able to sit without physical discomfort for 60 minutes.
7. Not pregnant and willing to remain not pregnant for the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to independently provide informed consent.
2. Current suicidality as assessed by the suicide item of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale.
3. History of bipolar disorder.
4. History of chronic PTSD.
5. History of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
6. Currently practice any type of formal meditation, mindfulness, or breathing techniques regularly (greater than 3 times per week).
7. History of complex PTSD.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* DSM-IV Borderline Personality Disorder;
* between 18 and 65 yrs of age

Exclusion Criteria:

* DSM-IV psychotic disorders,
* mental retardation,
* substance abuse in the forefront

Answer: B