This study evaluates depression, anxiety, psychopathologic symptoms, alexithymia and defensive style of grade III obese patients, before and after bariatric surgery. The study followed a cross-sectional design, with a group of surgical candidates (Gr1, N=32) and one of postoperative patients (Gr2, N=33) between 6 and 33 months after the surgery. Instruments: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Symptom Assessment Scale (EAS-40), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) and Defensive Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). The results pointed to low levels of depression, anxiety, psychopathological symptoms and alexithymia in both groups, although those of Gr2 were significantly lower than those of Gr1 (p<0.05). Concerning the defensive style, Gr1 showed more immature defense (p<0. 02) than Gr2.
Severe obesity; defense mechanisms; alexithymia; psychopathological symptoms; depression
