Case Study on Major Depressive Disorder: How Treatment Transformed a 30-Year-Old’s Life
Patient Information:
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Background: Swati is a 30-year-old marketing executive residing in a busy city. She is ambitious, career-oriented, and has a supportive social network. However, she has been facing personal problems that have increased with time. She is a patient with Major Depressive Disorder and has sought treatment after a long time residing with the feelings of emptiness, tiredness, and lack of motivation.
History or Cause:
Due to the breakup with a long-term boyfriend, Swati has been very depressed since the age of 28. Initially, she assumed that her gloomy and solitary feelings were temporary, but they were aggravated over time. At such a point, work. It became more and more difficult for Swati to wake up in the mornings. Additionally, her depressive symptoms were compounded by her family history- her mother had a history of depression, which, as such, led Swati to believe that her condition might have more of a genetic basis.
Depression started surrounding almost every circumference of Swati, including her work quality, friendships, and self-image. When her family and friends advised her to see a therapist, Swati was not open to doing that for fear of being ostracised by society for dealing with mental illness. Until one significant attack caused her to miss several working days, she stretched herself before ultimately seeking professional help.
Diagnosis:
Swati was diagnosed by a clinical psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist when she finally sought medical care. The process of assessment had many significant components.
- Initial Assessment: The initial assessment of Swati involved a complete clinical interview assessing psychological and emotional condition across mood, thoughts, and behaviours and history.
- Standardised Questionnaires: Subsequently, the psychiatrist administered to Swati the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a standard screening instrument for depression, which showed a very marked indication of depression.
- Family History: Swati reported a family background of depression that was quite taken into account while evaluating her against risk factors.
- Diagnosis: The psychiatrist diagnosed Swati as having Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), moderate to severe based on the above findings. There were clear symptoms of fundamental depression displayed by Swati, such as persistent sadness, a lack of interest in prior enjoyable activities, fatigue, concentration difficulties, and thoughts of worthlessness.
Treatment
Approach:
Given Swati's considerable depressive symptoms and her initial obstinacy to seek treatment, the therapeutic approach constituted a blend of medical treatment and psychological intervention. Swati's treatment plan was holistic, encompassing both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, which centred on her personal empowerment and active involvement in the recovery process.
Program:
The treatment program followed various steps:
- Psychiatric Consultation: Swati began her treatment with routine psychiatric follow-up appointments for the monitoring of her mental health and medication regimen.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Weekly CBT sessions with Swati helped increase awareness and challenge negative thoughts and behaviours, reducing her depression.
- Support Groups: Swati attended weekly group therapy sessions as a means of therapy to share with others who were going through similar issues.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Swati was also encouraged to adopt lifestyle changes conducive to mental well-being by exercising regularly, having a fixed sleep routine, and following a balanced diet.
- Medication: Swati was put on medications known as SSRIs to relieve her symptoms. SSRIs were chosen because they act by normalising serotonin levels, a brain chemical that greatly affects the mood.
Medical Treatments (Optional):
- Medication: A fluoxetine (Prozac) SSRI to relieve major depression effects was initiated in Swati. As she was closely monitored by the psychiatrist for response to treatment, adjustments of dosage would accurately be made.
- Medication Side Effects: Swati, at the beginning, had some very mild side effects like nausea and headaches that subsided after a few weeks, and she started to note a gradual increase in her mood and energy levels.
Therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on challenging negative thought patterns, for example, catastrophising with regard to Swati. She learnt some practical skills about stress management, challenging self-critical thoughts, and stopping the cycle of rumination.
- Group Therapy: Swati found comfort in group therapy, sharing her experiences and learning from others, lessening her sense of isolation.
- Family Therapy: While undergoing treatment, Swati and her family participated in family therapy sessions. This opened avenues of communication whereby her family could appreciate the impact of her depression and facilitate support toward her recovery.
Improvements/Recovery Timeline:
Week 1-2:
Swati was passing through the early phases of stabilisation. The first two weeks on medication were very hard for her to settle into the SSRI. Swati was very drowsy during those two weeks; however, her therapist helped her start coping with her depression by learning some coping strategies.
Week 3-4:
Slight improvement was seen by Swati: increased motivation to perform everyday activities with even the slightest movement, like waking up from bed and going to work. Her mood started to stabilise, and she had started to open up and communicate in her therapy sessions.
Week 5-8:
Swati appears to be gradually tracking some real progress in overcoming negative thinking. In CBT, she started identifying distorted thought patterns and challenging them with balanced thinking. Her energy levels went up even more, and she could resume deviations from the past, such as hobbies and social interactions.
Week 9-12:
Great progress was made for Swati at week 12. There were no depressive symptoms bothering her; thus, she could do more work and regained some friends she had cut off during her full-blown depression.
Month 3-6:
At the beginning of the third month, after recovering pretty well, she worked on keeping herself well with stress management. This work included attending therapy sessions. Swati began exercising, which worked wonders for her mood.
Month 6-12:
Swati continued her therapy and medication. By the end of the year, she felt like herself again. Although she continued her monthly visits to the therapist, she felt she had acquired sufficient insight and skills to manage her depression without help.
Our Success
Impact on Patient’s Life:
The treatment has been a significant influence on the life of Swati. Not only did her depressive symptoms improve considerably, but she also regained hope and control over her own future. She became once again fully involved and active in her work, taking on leadership roles in the workplace, and she re-engaged with the activities she had once loved, such as painting and hiking. Swati also formed healthier relationships with her friends and family.
Family and Community:
Swati's family benefited from her recovery. After a few years of worrying about their daughter, her parents could finally rejoice in seeing her become purposeful and alive. They, too, became part of family therapy, learning how to provide consistent support during her recovery. Swati's friends could see her improving energy and mood, and were grateful for the effort she put into repairing those friendships.
Future Steps:
Swati will maintain her monthly therapy schedule to monitor her mental health. Swati also plans on implementing a well-balanced lifestyle that includes sufficient exercise and stress-management techniques. Swati desires to nurture her growth, which would include exploring new opportunities for work while strengthening her relationships socially.
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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.
