KEY WORDS: CHILDHOOD ANXIETY DISORDERS, PHARMACOTHERAPY, PSYCHOTHERAPY A POST-TREATMENT EVALUATION OF THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF IMIPRAMINE PHARMACOTHERAPY AND BRIEF PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD ANXIETY DISORDERS

(ABSTRACT) This study evaluated a treatment program for anxiety disordered children, ages five to twelve years, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The treatment program integrated Imipramine pharmacotherapy and brief psychotherapy. The participants ’ nuclear and extended family histories were examined in terms of the occurrence of psychopathology and endemic transactional patterns. The examination of family patterns utilized Murray Bowen’s Generational Model, as well as the T-F-A model of Hutchins and Cole, as a means of explaining the transmission of anxiety in the family. Ten children suspected of experiencing anxiety disorders were referred by pediatric physicians for treatment. Following an initial diagnostic assessment, children were placed on 25 milligrams of Imipramine per day for four to six weeks, while participating in weekly conjoint psychotherapy with their mothers for a six to eight-week period. A post-treatment evaluation was conducted by selecting ten prototypic participants. Selection was based upon age, diagnosis of overanxious disorder or separation anxiety disorder in childhood, and a time interval of no more than one year o