Criteria for treatment at the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma

The service user's main problem must be one of the following anxiety disorders:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder characterised by a preoccupation with one or more defects in one's appearance for which most people can hardly notice or do not believe to be important. It is often associated with time consuming rituals such as checking in mirrors and comparing with others. The problem must also either cause significant distress or handicap.

Panic disorder

Characterised by frequent unexpected panic attacks about which there is persistent concern. During a panic attack, physical symptoms are prominent and anxiety increases relatively rapidly.

Panic disorder with Agoraphobia

Characterised by anxiety about or avoidance of places or situations from where panic attacks might occur and escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help might not be available. (Common examples include public transport, crowds, lifts, standing in queues, bridges, being far away from home)

Social phobia

Characterised by marked fear and often avoidance, of social or performance situations. Commonly feared situations are: meetings, parties, talking to authority figures or strangers, eating in public, being the centre of attention, conversations, public speaking. Individuals often fear that other people will see that they are anxious or that they will do or say something that will be embarrassing.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Characterised by unwanted distressing memories of a traumatic event accompanied by symptoms of increased arousal and by avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma.
Additional criteria for treatment of PTSD at the CADAT

The current PTSD must relate to 1 or more discrete traumatic events in adulthood (not childhood trauma). Service users who experienced childhood trauma and suffer from PTSD are seen by the Traumatic Stress Service (TSS), Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, Tel: 020 3228 2969 Fax: 020 3228 3573.This also applies to service users with PTSD who need an interpreter, and those with longstanding trauma in adulthood. All referrals to the TSS must be via the local CMHT and be addressed to Dr Nuri Gene-Cos. CADAT and the TSS coordinate referrals so that service users are assigned to the most appropriate of the Maudsley Services.

We are not able to take referrals for PTSD if there is a continuing close relationship with the perpetrator or other ongoing threat.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions.

Obsessions - these are intrusive thoughts, images or impulses which the service user usually experiences as unacceptable and which cause marked anxiety and distress. Such intrusive thoughts can focus on a range of harm, including violence, contamination by harmful substances, ideas that doors are not locked or gas is not turned off and so on.

Compulsions - repetitive physical or mental acts (e.g. handwashing, cleaning, saying prayers, checking doors, switches and taps) which the person usually relates to the obsessive thoughts and which are intended either to neutralise these and/or reduce anxiety and discomfort.

Specific Phobia

The Centre can sometimes accept referrals for specific phobias. These are relatively circumscribed fears of animals (e.g. spiders, snakes) or situations (e.g. heights, small enclosed spaces)Other Inclusion Criteria:

Criteria for treatment at the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma:

Exclusion criteria:

Medication:

If taking psychotropic medication the service user will have to be on a stable dose for at least 2 months prior to starting treatment.

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