Cognitive Behavior Therapy As Effective Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder With Anxious Distress And Atypical Features: A Case Report

Abstract

This case study is designed to find out effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in treating depression. Treatment of a 25 years old male client is described who suffered from Atypical Major Depressive Disorder with symptoms of anxious distress. The baseline assessment measures included Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Schema Inventory which indicated severe depression, moderate level of anxiety, and extremely severe stress whereas a higher percentage of dysfunctional schemas and lower occurrence of healthy schemas indicated a dire need of cognitive therapy. Treatment was carried over 3 months comprising of 15 therapeutic sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy including the techniques of psycho-education, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, assertive training, and relaxation exercise. The post-test assessments showed a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress level, reduction in maladaptive schemas, and increase in healthy schemas. Further, the symptom free state was maintained at 1-month follow-up showing normal levels of depression, anxiety and stress along with a further decrease in unhealthy schemas while inducing a progressive positive change in client which indicated that cognitive behavior therapy was found to be an effective treatment for major depressive disorder with anxious distress.