Comparison of brief dynamic and cognitive-behavioural therapies in avoidant personality disorder

Background There is a paucity of controlled trials examining the effectiveness of individual psychotherapy in personality disorders, especially in patients with cluster C disorders. Aims To compare the effectiveness of brief dynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy as out-patient treatment for people with avoidant personality disorder. Method Patients who metthe criteria for avoidant personality disorder ( n =62) were randomly assigned to 20 weekly sessions of either brief dynamic therapy ( n =23) or cognitive-behavioural therapy ( n =21), or they were assigned to the waiting-listcontrolgroup ( n =18). After the waiting period, patients in the control group were randomly assigned to one of the two therapies. Results Patients who received cognitive-behavioural therapy showed significantly more improvements on a number of measures in comparison with those who had brief dynamic psychotherapyor wereinthe waiting-list control group. Results were maintained at follow-up. Conclusions Cognitive-behavioural therapyis more effective than waiting-list control and brief dynamic therapy. Brief dynamic therapy was no better than the waiting-listcontrol condition.