Treatment of anxiety states. I. The effects of suggestion on the symptoms of anxiety states.

Summary A selected group of 34 patients suffering from anxiety states were assessed on a special rating scale before and after a period of two weeks, during which time inert tablets were prescribed and some measure of explanation and reassurance was employed. Twelve of these patients continued to receive inert tablets, etc., for a further three weeks. Symptom scores after both periods show a statistically highly significant degree of improvement. During the first period improvement was largely due to a diminution of the psychic manifestations of anxiety. During the second period the improvement continued, being mostly due to an amelioration of the somatic symptoms of anxiety.