The perceived parental rearing practices and attitudes of agoraphobics, social phobics and non-patient normal controls were investigated, employing the EMBU, an inventory for assessing memories of upbringing. Findings obtained previously with out-patients were replicated with in-patients as subjects. Compared with the controls, agoraphobics rated both their parents as having been less emotionally warm but only their mothers as having been rejective. Socially phobic in-patients rated both their parents as having been rejective, as having lacked emotional warmth, and as having been over-protective. Comparisons between agoraphobics and social phobics showed differences in certain aspects of parental rearing, with the socially phobic in-patients assigning ratings more negatively than the agoraphobic group.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent and disabling disorder characterised by persistent worrying, anxiety symptoms, and tension. General practitioners and mental healthcare professionals frequently misdiagnose the presenting symptoms. This article addresses the clinical presentation of GAD and provides guidelines for discriminating GAD from other disorders, based on theoretical considerations and clinical experience. Debate relating to the validity of the definition of GAD is discussed, and suggestions are made for improving the criteria for GAD, which may guide future versions of classification systems such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

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Interviews with spouses of individually referred psychiatric outpatients reveal relevant complaints about the ways the spouses have been approached by previous psychotherapists of their patient-partner. Suggestions are given to incorporate these complaints into efficient strategies for the involvement of spouses in the treatment of the patients.

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