Case Study Psychology: Real-Life Example of Adolescent Depression
Adolescent years are a time of development, discovery, and transition. Yet for other teens, it's also a time of emotional distress, indecision, and internal conflict. Teen mental illness issues, particularly depression, have become a global concern. Demands to perform well academically, be liked by peers, please family members, and remain "friends" on the web often push teens into an emotional box from which they can't extricate themselves.
Psychological case studies provide insight into the functioning of an individual with mental illness. Examples from real life can better explain their symptoms, causes, and treatment. Here, we are going to discuss an interesting case study on teenage depression and how therapy assisted in this change.
What Is Adolescent Depression in the Psychological Context?
Depression isn't just sadness. It's a serious mood disorder that affects individuals' thinking, feeling, and behaviour at home and work. Depression that occurs during adolescence, most commonly between the ages of 12 to 18, is referred to as adolescent depression.
Psychology in this regard assists us in examining not only symptoms but also underlying patterns of cognition and emotion that play a role in a teenager's distress. A case study within psychology is an in-depth study and observation of a specific individual or group to reveal patterns, causes, and successful treatments.
Psychotherapy, or therapy in general, refers to the treatment of mental health issues by talking and behavioural methods. Therapy for teens might include practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), family therapy, or group therapy.
Case Study: Aanya's Story, a 16-Year-Old Fighting Depression
Profile Summary
- Name: Aanya (changed for privacy)
- Age: 16
- Background: Aanya is a high school junior. She resides in a metropolitan city with her parents and younger brother. She is an intelligent student, academically talented, and highly active in extracurricular activities, such as debate and music.
Initial Symptoms
During the following three months, Aanya's parents noticed total changes in her behaviour:
- Loss of interest in hobbies she liked
- Withdrawn from the friends and family circle
- Sadness is evidenced by frequent crying spells
- Changes in sleep and eating habits
- Deterioration in school performance
- Acts of hopelessness and a lack of confidence in oneself
These signs were in alignment with adolescent symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Triggering Factors
An exhaustive psychological assessment by a duly licensed counsellor revealed several causative factors:
- Pressure at School: Aanya was burdened with expectations to maintain high grades and attend top colleges.
- Social Media Anxiety: Constant comparisons on social media made her feel inadequate.
- Parental Conflict: Domestic tensions, particularly quarrels between her parents, contributed to her emotional load.
- Low Self-Esteem: Aanya, despite her gifted nature, constantly criticised herself and felt undeserving.
These issues, as common as they were, layered up over time and resulted in an emotional collapse that could no longer be overlooked.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Aanya was officially diagnosed with Moderate Major Depressive Disorder. The psychologist prescribed a two-pronged treatment strategy:
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Objective: Identify and replace negative thought processes
- Frequency: Weekly therapy sessions with a certified therapist
- Duration: 6 months to start with
2. Family Counselling
- Objective: Enhance communication at home
- Frequency: Bi-weekly sessions with both parents and Aanya
3. Lifestyle Changes
- Including regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular sleep patterns
- Digital detox hours to decrease screen time and exposure to social media
Note: Medication (SSRIs) was also under consideration but put off, as the symptoms were moderate, and she was faring well on the therapies at first for the initial few weeks.
Related Learning: Child Psychology Case Study
Progress Through Therapy
Phase 1: Acknowledgement and Trust Building (Weeks 1–4)
Aanya was reserved during the first few weeks and would not open up. Journaling, emotion cards, and hypothetical storytelling were employed to allow her to voice feelings without undue pressure. The phase turned more into rapport building and trust establishment.
Phase 2: Core Belief Identification (Weeks 5–10)
Aanya began to identify cognitive distortions such as:
- All-or-nothing thinking: "If I don't get an A, I'm a failure."
- Overgeneralization: "Nobody likes me."
- Emotional reasoning: "I must be useless because I feel that way."
Identifying these, she was able to refute them and replace them with logical thinking.
Phase 3: Coping and Skill Building (Weeks 11–20)
- Mindfulness activities, deep breathing, and problem-solving skills were taught to Aanya.
- Role-play helped her prepare for social interactions and build self-esteem.
- Family member counselling addressed misperceptions, increased parent education, and encouraged healthy boundaries.
Outcome: A Journey of Healing and Self-Awareness
After five months of ongoing therapy, Aanya reported a significant improvement in mood and behaviour:
- Returned to school activities and social life
- Significant improvement in academic achievement
- Reduction in negative self-talk
- Improved emotional bonding with her family
Follow-up assessment revealed reduced symptoms on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale, indicating improvement from moderate to mild depression.
The number of therapy sessions was reduced to once every month for follow-up and maintenance.
Psychological Observations and Takeaways from the Case
Case history identifies some extremely significant takeaways:
- Early treatment is important. Delay in treating emotional issues can make depression more severe.
- Family dynamics are also the key to the mental well-being of an adolescent. Parental participation in therapy will bear fruit.
- CBT is extremely helpful in the treatment of depression in adolescents, especially if adapted to the individual's thought processes and triggers.
- Non-pharmacological interventions can be effective if the patient's symptoms are mild to moderate and the patient is cooperative in therapy.
- Emotional validation and trust are essential to make adolescents open up in therapy.
Why Case Studies in Adolescent Psychology Matter?
Case histories like Aanya's are not stories, they are evidence-based models that educate mental health professionals, educators, and parents. They provide more insight into the psychological complexities of adolescence and the therapeutic value of change.
Don't dismiss your teenager or someone you know as "going through a phase" if they're showing signs of depression. Seek professional help. With early intervention, supportive environments, and effective therapy, recovery is not only possible—it's probable.
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