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Evaluation of the ‘Fragebogen zum Figurbewusstsein’ (FFB, German version of the Body Shape Questionnaire)Background: The German version of the Body Shape Questionnaire (FFB) is widely used to assess different aspects of body dissatisfaction. In the present study the FFB is evaluated extensively for the first time. Method: Two groups of normal controls (n = 201 and n = 189 women, respectively) were included, as well as 182 women with the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa and 49 women with the diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Results: In each of the four groups a principal component analysis revealed a single factor. The reliability of the FFB was found to be good. Clinical and non-clinical groups were significantly different with respect to their FFB-scores. Specific correlations between the FFB-score and different measures of symptoms of bulimia also supported the validity of the FFB. Finally, preliminary norms were estimated. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the FFB is suitable for usage in therapy and research.

Comorbidity in Bulimia nervosa Introduction: It is still unclear whether patients with bulimia nervosa differ according to additional comorbid diagnoses from other patient groups, e.g. from patients with anxiety problems. Method: The present study examines whether a group of women with bulimia (n = 106) suffer from additional comorbid diseases. To evaluate how typical the comorbid diseases are for bulimia nervosa, a control group of healthy women (n = 106) as well as a group of women with panic disorder with agoraphobia (n = 95) were recruited. A standardized clinical interview (DIPS; Diagnostic Interview for Psychiatric Disorders) was used for the DSM-III-R diagnoses. Moreover, we analyzed whether bulimic patients with no comorbid diseases suffer from severe psychopathological symptoms, such as depressive or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, although they do not fulfil the criteria for a disorder. Results: The results suggest that the two clinical groups are comparable with regard to the kind and number of comorbid diagnoses. However, women suffering from bulimia nervosa showed significant more subclinical symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive symptoms and symptoms of social anxieties as well as alcohol abuse than women with panic disorder with agoraphobia symptomatology. Discussion: Comorbid diagnoses seem to be relevant for the therapy of patients with bulimia nervosa as well as for the therapy of patients suffering from panic disorder.

Training in Psychological Psychotherapy and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: Results of a SurveyBackground: In fall 1999, a regulation for the training of psychological psychotherapy and child and adolescent psychotherapy (APrV) was enacted by the Ministry of Health in Germany, based on the new law for psychotherapy (Psychotherapeutengesetz, PsychThG). Aim: To assess the degree of redundancy in the university training and the post-graduate training in clinical psychology and psychotherapy the Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy of the German Psychological Association (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie, DGPs) conducted a survey. Results: The survey reveals a large overlap of subjects taught as part of the university training in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and the subjects required as part of the post-graduate training in psychotherapy. Usually, more than 200 hours of basic theoretical training are taught in graduate classes at the universities, covering almost all subjects that are requested as part of the post-graduate psychotherapy training. Almost all of the responding institutes suggest a renewal of parts of the law and the APrV so that equivalent subject-matters of the diploma training at universities should be accepted as part of the training programs for psychological psychotherapy and child- and adolescent psychotherapy. A change of curricula for the diploma training is not supported.

Purpose: The aim of the article is to describe how exposure can be used as a therapeutic strategy for patients with sexual dysfunctions. Additionally, rules of the so-called System Adoption Strategy will be described which seem to be of importance for enhancing patients’ motivation for therapy during the whole therapy. Moreover, by using these communication strategies therapists may facilitate cognitive changes. Methods: Rules of the System Adoption Strategy will be de-scribed. For instance, it will be demonstrated how the therapist may ‘depathologize’ the patients’ thoughts and feelings and encourage them to talk about their problems openly. Moreover, concrete information concerning exposure (e.g., patient preparation, prolonged and repeated exposure) will be given. Results: According to our therapeutic experience, exposure seems to be effective for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions which are maintained by negative thoughts and feelings (e.g., performance-related anxieties). A therapeutic communication style according to the System Adoption Strategy facilitates a positive therapeutic relationship and atmosphere as well as cognitive changes. Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate the described therapeutic concepts for sexual dysfunctions.