Dysthymia: features psychopathology and protective structures and their dynamics in therapy

Abstract

The article presents the main results of the study of protective psychological mechanisms, namely, coping strategies, psychological defense mechanisms in patients with dysthymia and their dynamics in the process of therapy. To implement the objectives of the study, the following tools were used: clinical scale self-report to examine the mental state. The comparative analysis of the patients with dysthymia and healthy individuals, as well as of the patients with dysthymia before and after therapy was conducted. As a result of completing the therapy, patients with dysthymia significantly reduced indicators of SCL-90-R “somatization”, “interpersonal sensitivity”, “depression”, which may indicate the reduction of distress arising from awareness of violations of the functions of the body, decreasing the feeling of personal inadequacy and inferiority, as well as signs of fading interest in activities. As a result of group cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, the significant decline in the use of maladaptive behavioral coping strategies and strengthening of adaptive behaviors was observed. In addition, patients with dysthymia obtained more mature mechanisms of psychological protection, for example, in their arsenal of behavior appeared “intellectualization” that allows one to analyze one’s thoughts and actions, to engage in introspection. Refs 19. Tables 6.