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Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood Following Marital Breakdown

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2014

W. Kim Halford
W. Kim Halford*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Queensland
*
Department of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Clinical Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston Qld 4029
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Abstract

Marital breakdown is common, and often associated with depression. A model is outlined in which such depression may be maintained by avoidance of depression eliciting stimuli. A 27-year-old recently-separated male with severe depression was treated with systematic exposures to depression eliciting stimuli, with cognitive coping self statements being used during exposures. The worst self ratings of depression reported by the client and scores on the Beck Depression Inventory improved greatly from baseline to treatment phases. Gains were maintained at 4 week, 3 and 6 month follow-ups. Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of this potentially useful approach to treating marital breakdown, and possibly other adjustment disorders, which are associated with depressed mood.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , March 1987 , pp. 28 - 33
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1987

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References

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