Behavioural effects of rapid intravenous administration of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) in patients with generalized social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and healthy controls.

Findings from epidemiological, pharmacotherapeutical, genetic and neurobiological studies suggest a possible overlap in the neurobiology of generalized social anxiety disorder (gSAD) and panic disorder (PD). Previously we have found a rapid intravenous m-CPP challenge of 0.1 mg/kg to be highly sensitive and selective in the provocation of panic attacks in patients with PD. We therefore directly compared the behavioural, neuroendocrine and physiological effects of this rapid m-CPP challenge in a small sample of patients with gSAD, patients with PD and matched healthy controls. Panic attacks were significantly more provoked in patients with PD (85%), but not in patients with gSAD (14%) as compared to healthy controls (0%). Effects on the other behavioural parameters, but not on the neuroendocrine and physiological parameters, were significantly greater in patients with PD compared to patients with gSAD and controls. Our preliminary data do not support a shared neurobiology of gSAD and PD.

[Psychiatrist, patient and religion: more than simply coping]. / Psychiater, patiënt en religie: meer dan coping alleen.

Qualitative information derived from interviews with psychiatrists working in a Dutch psychiatric institution shows that religion plays a role in the relationship between psychiatrist and patient. Religion functions not only as a coping mechanism, it also lies at the basis of the psychiatrist's attitude. Although less than 20% of the psychiatrists interviewed claimed to be religious, more than 75% said that the therapeutic relationship was partly founded on religious ideas and principles.