Efficacy of Behavioral Activation Therapy in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Case Report

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are emerging as the most prevalent psychological disorders worldwide; becoming a public health problem. There are currently multiple evidence-based treatments that help reduce the impact of these disorders on the lives of people who suffer from them. This article shows the application of Behavioral Activation Therapy in a woman who presented symptoms of anxiety and depression derived from a couple breakup. The intervention was given in a total of 9 sessions, where activity programming and mindfulness strategies were worked on. Two psychometric instruments were applied, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), as well as a weekly mastery and pleasure self-report. Among the results obtained, changes were observed between the pre-treatment (IAB=43 and IDB=40) and post-treatment (IAB=2 and IDB=4) scores and an increase in the domain and pleasure dimensions of the self-report. Under these results we can mention that the intervention was clinically effective, however, it is suggested to do other studies with more rigorous methodological designs