CASE STUDIES - COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

S (Female aged 21)

S attended for 15 sessions of CBT over an eighteen month period. She was suffering from increasing panic attacks at her university and had had to come home as she was very distressed and anxious in social situations.

S was introduced to the CBT model of panic and anxiety, and encouraged to 'allow' her panic feelings to continue and then subside, which proved to her she could survive them. She returned to university and began to manage her social life and relationships more positively, whilst continuing to use her CBT tips and techniques.

S then identified low self esteem as a problem and she used CBT techniques to create some "new rules for living" which she could practice in social situations and in relationships

S has now successfully graduated with a 2.1 degree, coped well with a university work experience placement and a university group project. At the end of the therapy she said that "I can now live my life how I want to, I still get panicky but it does not matter. I never imagined that I would finish my course and life could be so exciting."

A (Female aged 30)

A attended regularly for over a year (not weekly) as she had become depressed when her youngest child began school. She was tired all the time, irritable for no reason, tearful and preferred being on her own in the house. Her marriage was under pressure. A friend noticed and urged her to seek some help.

Using CBT A began to keep an activity journal and gradually pick up new activities to help enjoy things again and feel some sense of accomplishment. She also explored her negative thinking about her role as mother and a wife, and developed new more helpful beliefs about herself.

As her confidence and self esteem improved, she applied for some part time voluntary work which helped her see herself more positively. At the end of the year she applied for paid employment and was eventually successful in obtaining a part time job which fitted in well with school hours.

G (Female aged 39)

G attended for 10 sessions of CBT for her anxiety and OCD. Her OCD led her to become very obsessed with particular thoughts which were clearly untrue, but she could not dismiss them. G learnt how her anxiety was contributing to her OCD thoughts, and in time she found it easier to dismiss the thoughts and refocus on things which were more relevant and helpful for her. She used a combination of mindfulness and thought recording and some recommended self help books.

J (Male aged 46)

J attended for eighteen months, initially for some CBT to help him cope with anxiety. However the anxiety was provoked by difficulties in his current relationship. J used problem solving and goal setting to see where he wanted to go with his life. As he made changes, his anxiety reduced and despite the challenges of ending a relationship, and moving house, he was able to cope and remain positive. He found using CBT to explore his beliefs helpful and at the end of therapy he had embarked on new interests and felt his anxiety was no longer a problem he could not deal with. He said "Coming to CBT with Joy was like a new door opening, I never thought I would be able to sort my life out when I started and now I have so many opportunities, it is wonderful."