Short-term dynamic psychotherapy for patients with physical symptomatology

Findings of the effects of short-term anxiety-provoking psychotherapy (STAPP) on neurotic patients who also complain of physical symptoms without underlying pathology are presented in this paper. The criteria and clinical requirements of STAPP as well as nine outcome criteria used to assess improvement are briefly discussed. 14 out of 48 patients complained of physical symptoms in addition to other psychological difficulties. Out of 13 patients who were rated as 'recovered' or 'much better', the physical symptoms had disappeared in 5 and were 'much better' in 7, and a little better in 1. Only 1 patient was 'unchanged' psychologically and physically.