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Biomedical subjects

P E Sifneos

Publications and source records attributed to P E Sifneos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Alexithymia and its relationship to hemispheric specialization, affect, and creativity.

This article attempts to demonstrate the relations of alexithymia (no words for emotions) to hemispheric specialization and affect. In addition, it also points to alexithymia as a deficiency in the area of human feelings, and as such of being the opposite of creativity. The terms "affect," "emotion," and "feeling" are defined, and possible etiologic factors of the phenomenon of alexithymia are discussed, with special reference to primary and secondary alexithymia. The article concludes with a presentation of the kinds of therapeutic interventions that might be offered to alexithymic individuals, as well as with an appeal for an integration of scientific and clinical investigations.

Affect↗
PubMed1985

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy of phobic and mildly obsessive-compulsive patients.

This paper reviews the psychodynamics of phobic and obsessive-compulsive symptoms of mild severity and describes the techniques of short-term anxiety-provoking psychotherapy which are used to treat phobic and mildly obsessive-compulsive patients. Academic phobias, a common difficulty encountered in college students, are also discussed.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1984

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.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1983

Psychotherapies for psychosomatic and alexithymic patients.

The difficulties encountered in the treatment of psychosomatic and alexithymic patients are discussed in some detail. The possible etiological theories about alexithymia, namely, genetic, neuroanatomical/neurophysiological, developmental/sociocultural and psychodynamic, are reviewed. The various therapeutic interventions available are described and the conclusion is reached that supportive psychiatric treatments are recommended for primary alexithymic psychosomatic patients, while modified psychodynamic therapies are considered best suited for secondary alexithymic individuals.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1981

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy: its history, its impact and its future.

Short-term dynamic psychotherapy is successful for the healthier patient, but also for the individual with severe and chronic problems. The author surveys the history of brief intervention since Freud. Despite favorable outcomes, there has been a lack of interest for short-term dynamic therapy. Analysts, emphasizing on long-term analysis, failed to distinguish between developing theory and treatment. Since the mid-fifties interest for short-term techniques has increased. Research is resulting in criteria for selection and outcome. Utilized are active techniques, as transference interpretation, in dealing with specified foci. Successful outcome is obtained in oedipal problems, grief reactions, obessive compulsive illnesses, multiple phobias and some boderline disorders. In future, research is necessary on differentiation between patients, on comparison between treatment methods, and on technical factors, next to education and training.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed1980

Ongoing outcome research on short-term dynamic psychotherapy.

In this paper short-term dynamic psychotherapy (STAPP) is described briefly in terms of its selection criteria and technique, and the preliminary findings of an ongoing outcome study are presented. Of 22 experimental patients who were treated with STAPP, 14 were rated as 'recovered' by two evaluators, 4 were 'much better', 3 'little better' and 1 was 'unchanged'. Of 8 controls who waited a period of 2--5 months, 5 were 'unchanged' and 3 'a little better' at the end of their waiting period. When they were treated subsequently, 4 had 'recovered', 2 were 'much better' and 2 withdrew having moved from the Boston area. The complexities inherent in psychotherapy evaluation are described, and the 3 patients who improved 'a little' and the 1 who was 'unchanged' are discussed briefly.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1979

Alexithymia: concept and measurement.

Alexithymia is a concept in need of validation and measurement. The paper summarizes alexithymia as it is understood clinically and describes questionnaires used to elicit information helpful in making the assessment of alexithymia characteristics. Problems in use and the need for further work on comparative clinical experience are discussed.

Affective Symptoms↗