Please respond to at least 2 of your peer’s posts with substantive comments using the following steps:
- Substantive comments add to the discussion and provide your fellow students with information that will enhance the learning environment.
- References and citations should conform to APA standards.
- Remember: Please respect the opinions of others, even if their views differ. In other words, disagree professionally and respectfully.
1) Chad
Based on this video, Danielle has depression and social anxiety disorder. During the video, she exhibited signs of major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms such as a lack of interest, feeling guilty about letting her mom down, low energy and not wanting to get out of bed (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Other symptoms of MDD identified during the interview were signs of psychomotor agitation when she was playing with the sleeves of her sweatshirt (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Danielle describes symptoms of social anxiety disorder when she discussed being scrutinized by others, feeling like she will not perform her job well while others are watching, and feeling like if she does something wrong that she will embarrass herself and her mother (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Nordh et al., 2017).
Danielle could benefit from a combination of individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and group therapy. CBT “is considered the first-line treatment” for anxiety disorders (Nordh et al., 2017, p. 2). Since Danielle is too anxious to leave the house, she would benefit from internet-delivered CBT. This treatment will allow Danielle all of the features of the traditional CBT with the bonus of not leaving her current location until her anxiety and depression levels have decreased.
Nordh et al. (2017) indicated that internet-delivered CBT alone would not be sufficient which is why Danielle should also attend group sessions. The combination of internet-delivered CBT and group therapy will “ensure that key treatment components, such as exposure to social situations and social skills training, are conveyed properly” (p.2).
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
Nordh, M., Vigerland, S., Ost L.G., Ljotsson, B., and Mataix-Cols, D., Serlachius, E., and Hogstrom, J. (2017). Therapist-guided internet-delivered cognitive-behavioural therapy supplemented wih group exposure sessions for adolescents with social anxiety disorder: a feasibility trial. BMJ Open, 7(12), 1-12. Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018345
2) Kaur
The video I will be discussing will be the second video. This patient had been experiencing social anxiety and decided it was time to go to therapy for help. A form of psychotherapy that is most effective for anxiety is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which works equally well when conducted individually or in a group (Mayo Clinic, 2021). As the patient progresses in exposure-based CBT, they will gradually face the situations they are most afraid of. Typically, they will need between 12 and 16 sessions. In order to achieve this, they have to gain confidence, learn how to handle the situations that scare them most, and then go out into the world (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
CBT and exposure therapy are both great options for those suffering from anxiety. As a general rule, cognitive behavioral therapy assumes that how we feel is affected primarily by our thoughts (Mayo Clinic, 2021). In other words, how a person feels isn’t determined by whatever situation they are in, but by how they perceive it. Negative thinking contributes to anxiety and fear in people with anxiety disorders. This therapy addresses these negative thoughts and beliefs by identifying and modifying them (Smith et al., 2021). It is believed that by changing the way one thinks, they will change the way they feel.
The name implies that exposure therapy exposes the patient to things or situations they are afraid of. Through repeated exposures, they will feel a greater sense of control over the situation, which will help to further diminish their anxiety (Smith et al., 2021). One way to expose the patient to a scary situation is by having them imagine it, or by confronting it in real life. As part of cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy can be conducted alone or as part of a treatment program. Exposition therapy begins with a situation that’s mildly threatening and gradually increases the threat level. This is often less traumatizing than confronting their biggest fear right away (Smith et al., 2021). The systematic desensitization process follows a step-by-step approach. Patients can gradually overcome their fears, increase their confidence, and learn how to control panic through systematic desensitization (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
References
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/soc…
Smith, M., Segal, R., & Segal, J. (2021). Therapy for Anxiety Disorders. HelpGuide. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/therapy…
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