A Real-Life Depression Case Study: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Journey
Table Of Content
Patient Information
Age: 34
Gender Female
Background: A 34-year-old software engineer who lives with her husband and two young children. She has a demanding job, many family responsibilities, and limited social interaction outside of work and home.
History or Cause
The patient grew up in a nurturing yet high-achieving family that celebrated academic excellence. Her parents gave her love and support, but they set high expectations that often set her up to feel she had to succeed. For a shy child, she never felt like she belonged in the family; she felt isolated and self-doubting.
Some decades later, ambition and determination fuelled her to succeed as a software engineer. But the stress level mounted as the relentless demands of the job started to take their toll on her. The tech field was intense, increasing responsibility and demanding flawless results before deadline with absolutely no room for self-care.
Being married for years with two children, she now finds it difficult to juggle between the roles of mother and employee. However, her work-life balance is juggling and filled with frustration as she frequently has arguments with her husband, which strained their relationship.
Things took a darker turn when her father passed away. The grief and the pressure led her to withdraw from social activities, exacerbating her feelings of loneliness and despair.
Her depressive symptoms intensified, which were marked by irritability, fatigue, and a sense of worthlessness, which her family noticed. They urged her to seek help as her productivity declined and she isolated herself at home. This call for support became a crucial turning point in her journey towards recovery.
Diagnosis
At Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre, the patient's suffering was subject to an in-depth diagnostic process that not only involved comprehensive evaluation by mental health professionals but also clinical interviews, psychometric assessments, and behavioural observations. The team of psychiatrists and psychologists at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centres used various diagnostic tools to identify the level of her anxiety and depression, which included BAI, also known as the Beck Anxiety Inventory.
With the above approach, we were able to diagnose:
- Major Depressive Disorder (Moderate Severity)
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Her depression was moderate according to the DSM-5 criteria, and the symptoms were as follows:
- Persistent sadness
- Lack of interest in daily activities
- Feelings of guilt
- Feeling of worthlessness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in concentration
These symptoms were impacting her ability to be productive at work as well as at home. Additionally, she was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, complicating her depression with constant worry and restlessness, requiring an integrated approach to the treatment.
Treatment
The approach towards the treatment of our patient was holistic, not focusing only on her depression symptoms but also addressing the underlying causes of the condition. The main goal was to help her regain her emotional stability, followed by learning effective coping mechanisms and helping her improve her overall quality of life. The customised treatment plan developed included psychotherapy, pharmacological interventions, and lifestyle adjustments. Jagruti Rehabilitation Program was customised in a way that can help her foster both short- and long-term relief and mental health maintenance.
Program
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
By attending weekly individual sessions with a therapist who specialised in CBT and aimed at identifying the negative thought pattern in the patient that contributes to her depression and anxiety, the therapist was able to work with her and overcome the challenges these thoughts might bring.
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Group Therapy
When enrolled in the group therapy, our patients were able to meet with other patients who were suffering from similar experiences. Our group therapy sessions are a safe place where patients can share their experiences and learn from others. Being a part of the group, she was able to realise that she was not the only one suffering and that others might be facing comparable challenges. The peer support she gained in group therapy allowed her to rebuild her self-esteem and gave her hope for recovery.
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
In addition to CBT and group therapy programs, our patient also participated in weekly MBSR sessions. MBSR sessions allowed her to learn about the techniques for mindfulness and meditation, which can help keep her more aware of her thoughts and feelings.
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Family Counselling
The marital disorder was one of the crucial factors in her condition, and therefore it was crucial to include family counselling in her treatment plan. Her husband participated in the counselling session, which was focused only on improving the communication between husband and wife. Over time, they were able to rebuild trust and work towards a healthier and more supportive relationship with the help of these sessions.
Medical Treatments
A combination of medicines was provided to her according to the severity of symptoms. The medications were closely monitored by Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre’s psychiatrist. She was prescribed SSRIs in the initial days at low doses; however, the dose of the medicine was increased over time. Moreover, she was prescribed benzodiazepines to help her manage her acute anxiety and panic attacks during the initial days.
Improvement/Recovery Timeline
Week 1-2
The first two weeks were focused on adjusting the treatment routine, where she was reluctant to engage in therapy and showed some hesitation when it came to sharing her feelings. Her anxiety was high and medicines were taking much time to effect. Despite the initial struggles, the team at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre remained supportive and helpful.
Week 3-4
Now her medicines have started having an effect on her, and some signs of improvement were displayed in her behaviour, which are listed below:
- Slightly improved sleep pattern
- More involved in her CBT sessions
- Recognising her patterns
- Opened up more in group therapy sessions
Family counselling sessions also began during this period, which resulted in a step forward for our patient towards recovery.
Week 5-8
During this phase, she became more proactive towards her therapy sessions. Moreover, she engaged deeply with the professional and learned about the CBT techniques as she was curious to apply them in real-life scenarios. Her ability to regulate her emotions improved, followed by her involvement in social connections with friends.
Week 9-12
By the end of the treatment program, significant progress was seen in the patient. She reported feeling more in control of her emotions and less burdened by negative thoughts. Her anxiety and panic attacks were considerably reduced and manageable with no medications or therapies. Moreover, her relationship with her husband improved, and they were communicating more effectively.
Our Success
The 12-week depression treatment program at Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is about significant positive changes in our patient’s life. With the help of a customised treatment plan that not only includes therapy but medications and lifestyle changes, helped her to overcome her depression and regain control over her life.
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Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre is a leading facility specializing in mental health, dementia, and addiction recovery. The team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and caregivers is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery.
