Depressive Symptoms Treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Activation Therapy Essay

Introduction

Considering the case of John, who decided to seek help from a psychiatrist, a doctor can clearly identify such depressive symptoms as a feeling of constant frustration and despondency, a loss of motivation for daily tasks and work, and insomnia. According to Cuijpers et al. (2019), depression in this case does not take a severe form, so psychotherapy and an approach such as BAT (Behavioral Activation Therapy) in combination with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), that is, treatment without the help of medication, can help John.

Symptoms and Treatment

John noted symptoms affecting his mental state and interactions with loved ones, as well as insomnia. His first long-term goal is to improve his overall well-being and relationships with his wife and friends. According to studies, although therapy and medication are about equally effective in the short term, over a longer period of more than 1 year, psychotherapy often shows a more sustainable treatment outcome (Cuijpers et al., 2019).

To achieve great results, it is necessary to take small steps, for instance, write down daily tasks in a special diary. For starters, John can start by having breakfast together with his wife, walking, and talking on the phone with a friend (Gautam et al., 2020). Also, writing down thoughts, whatever they are, helps patients better control the flow of their thoughts and analyze their progress.

John has also noted a lack of motivation in his work and in his daily tasks, so his second long-term goal is to activate inner motivation and enthusiasm. An approach such as BAT, which involves changing the patient’s behavior and introducing favorable, pleasurable habits into his life, can be a lifesaver (Cuijpers et al., 2019). For example, information is first collected through a dialogue with the patient about whether there are any actions that he avoids due to anxiety and depression, and this is corrected.

The remedy is to analyze the reasons for avoiding this behavior and plan for implementation step by step. If a person is afraid or unwilling to attend events at work (for example, negotiations) because of depression, then their attendance is recorded in the diary. This method is also effective at boosting motivation by setting specific, achievable goals (Gautam et al., 2020). Activities such as hobbies, hanging out with friends, and playing sports can also boost motivation and improve mood.

The third symptom that affects quality of life is sleep problems and insomnia, so John’s third long-term goal is to get rid of them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is recommended for insomnia, but it is often combined with sleeping pills and sedatives. There are four effective tools in this therapy.

The first is stimulus control, which involves pairing the bed with sleep and leaving it while awake. The second is to limit sleep and reduce the amount of time spent in bed. The third is cognitive therapy, which deals with anxiety and thoughts about not being able to sleep. The last tool is a relaxation workout, such as yoga or meditation (Davidson et al., 2019). A combination of CBT techniques can significantly improve John’s sleep quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the symptoms described by John indicate a mild form of depression and can be treated with CBT and TPA. Keeping a diary, walking in the fresh air, psychotherapy, and hobbies will be effective ways to improve his overall well-being and build relationships with relatives. Achieving short-term objectives is important for the long term and increases the chances and timeline of a full recovery.

References

Cuijpers, P., Quero, S., Dowrick, C., & Arroll, B. (2019). Psychological treatment of depression in primary care: recent developments. Current psychiatry reports, 129(21), 1-10.

Davidson, J. R., Dickson, C., & Han, H. (2019). Cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia in primary care: a systematic review of sleep outcomes. British Journal of General Practice, 69(686), e657-e664.

Gautam, M., Tripathi, A., Deshmukh, D., & Gaur, M. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression. Indian journal of psychiatry, 62(2), S223.

Appendix

Long-Term Treatment Goals:

1. Improve overall mood.
2. Increase motivation for work and routine.
3. Get rid of insomnia and improve sleep quality.

Short-Term Treatment Goals:

1. Write down tasks and thoughts in a diary.
2. Setting clear goals for the coming days.
3. Dealing with anxiety and meditation before bed.