Case study clinical example CBT: First session with a client with symptoms of depression (CBT model)
Meeting with Lucy
In this session, Lucy discusses her feelings of being down and unmotivated, which have been ongoing for several months. She attributes these feelings to academic stress, parental marital issues, and high self-expectations.
Lucy's Feelings and Background
- Lucy has been feeling down for a few months, with the past few months being particularly challenging.
- She struggles with motivation and finds it hard to engage in activities.
- Despite living with friends, she feels isolated and unable to confide in them about her emotions.
- Academic pressure during exam periods and parental marital problems have contributed to her current emotional state.
Coping Mechanisms and Self-Expectations
- Lucy puts immense pressure on herself to excel academically and make her parents proud.
- She feels guilty for not meeting her own high standards and worries about disappointing her parents.
- The inability to reach out to her parents or friends adds to her sense of isolation and distress.
Current Emotional State
Understanding Lack of Motivation
The individual expresses a lack of motivation to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as sports and socializing.
Thoughts on Activities
- Feeling that engaging in activities is pointless if not performed well.
- Believing they do not deserve to participate if unable to excel like others.
- Expressing feelings of unworthiness compared to peers.
Emotional Impact of Negative Thoughts
Exploring the emotional impact of negative self-perception and thoughts on the individual's well-being.
Emotional Response
- Experiencing sadness, anger, and frustration due to negative thoughts.
- Feeling embarrassed when discussing emotions related to self-worth.
Physical Manifestation of Emotions
Discussing how negative emotions manifest physically and affect daily life.
Physical Effects
- Noticing increased lethargy and difficulty sleeping due to emotional strain.