[Experience in group therapy of obese patients]

The aim of the investigation was to verify in patients repeatedly failing the reduction the existence of personality traits which can increase an individual predisposition for development and relapse of obesity. In 1995, 65 patients of the Geronto-Metabolic Clinic in Hradec Králové (average age 41.23 +/- 10.9 years, BMI 32.4 +/- 1.2 kg/m2) were systematically examined. A psychological examination (Freiburg's personality questionnaire SUPOS 7, SCL 90, KSAT) was added to standard somatic examination. The results of this investigation demonstrate the presence of psychosocial factors in combination with specific configuration of personal features that are reflected in the quality of emotional feelings, social interactions and in the autoplastic picture of the disease (lower sociability, depression, higher score of somatic anxiety, impulsivity, muscle tension, increased sensitivity to body image). Knowledge of the patients personal features enables a more complex view of the disease. The stimulation of self-healing abilities of the patient and forming of her affinities based on partnership are the most important. For these reasons, we include person centered approach (P.C.A.) in classical cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and both these therapies are part of the group therapy.