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Early Intervention for Adults at High Risk of Recurrent/Chronic Depression: Cognitive Model and Clinical Case Series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2008

Stephen Barton*
Affiliation:
Newcastle University and Newcastle Centre for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, UK
Peter Armstrong
Affiliation:
Newcastle Centre for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, UK
Mark Freeston
Affiliation:
Newcastle University and Newcastle Centre for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, UK
Vivien Twaddle
Affiliation:
Newcastle Centre for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies, UK
*
Reprint requests to Stephen Barton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Transitions Service, Chester le Street Health Centre, Newcastle Road, Chester le Street, Co Durham DH3 3UR, UK. E-mail: s.b.barton@newcastle.ac.uk

Abstract

This paper describes a cognitive model for first/second onset depression that has been precipitated by major life stress, entrenched for several months and is unresponsive to pharmacotherapy. These conditions create high risks for recurrent/chronic depression and early intervention is proposed to identify, treat and protect against relapse/recurrence. Severe life stress interacts with an individual's core self-representations and personal values, identity is disrupted and depression is maintained by dysfunctional goal engagement and disengagement. Treatment aims to restore functional self-regulation by increasing self-diversification and creating balanced goal investments. Outcome and follow-up data are reported in a case series of five consecutive patients. There was good therapist adherence to the prescribed targets and pre-post effect sizes were comparable or larger than published outcome studies. At the 12 month follow-up, three of the four treatment completers (75%) had made reliable and clinically significant changes and were in full remission. This provides encouraging preliminary evidence for the model's validity and the therapy's efficacy.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2008

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