Comparative Trial of Effectiveness of CBT-Medication Treatment Combination on Dimensions of Global Adjustment in Social Phobia.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To study the effectiveness of CBT in adjustment dimensions of (family/health/ social/occupational/sexual/emotional) of patients suffering from social phobia & compare effectiveness of CBT- medical treatment combination with medical-treatment alone. Methods: Twenty patients of social phobia (DSM-IV) were randomized to two groups of ten patients each. Group I received CBT intervention and medical-treatment and Group II medical-treatment alone. Study utilized pre-post test design. CBT included thrice weekly, one hour sessions over three months. The assessments were made using the global adjustment scale (including five dimensions). Results: There was statistically significant improvement on global adjustment scale dimensions of social/family/occupational/ emotional adjustment in Group I as compared to Group II. Health/sexual adjustment didn’t differ in two groups. Conclusion: CBT intervention (relaxation techniques, socialskills training, systematic desensitization, A-B-C charting, other behavioral techniques along with counseling) in combination with medical treatment is more effective in improving adjustment in social phobia patients than medications alone.