Affective profiles of chronically anxious patients

It appears that patients who suffer from panic attacks, in addition to generalized anxiety, differ from those without panic attacks predominantly in the type and severity of the somatic manifestations. Panic attacks and to a lesser extent, generalized anxiety, occurred in a wide range of measured personality dimensions. However, the interactions between anxiety and personality traits are of great clinical and therapeutic importance. Extroverted and internally oriented patients exhibited less psychopathology and were more positive in their outlook and more capable to use offered help in a constructive way, whereas introverted patients and those with an external locus of control experienced a considerable amount of demoralization. The latter patients needed more intensive psychotherapy to build up their self-confidence. Only with considerable effort on the part of the therapist did such patients become able to face anxiety-provoking situations and approach them in a constructive way. Medication often controlled the somatic symptoms; however, personality traits determined whether and to what degree patients overcame anticipatory anxiety and improved interpersonal and social functions.