Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study

Sturmey (2009) asserted that BA may be more effective than CBT in terms of lower client dropout and could be more useful with some people for whom CBT is less effective; these included those with severe, lifelong depression, people who misuse substances and those experiencing dementia with severe depression. BA has also been evaluated by several independent research groups for diverse problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression associated with cancer, obesity, addiction (Kanter and Mulick 2007) and negative symptoms of psychosis (Mairs ef al 2011). BA has been used successfully with chents of different ages, religious and ethnic backgrounds, and across a variety of settings (Kanter ef al 2012). In short, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that BA is an effective, evidence-based therapy. Variations Several variants of BA have been developed and refined over the years, including that of Martell ef al (2001, 2010) and Lejuez ef al (2011). For the treatment of depression, NICE (2009)
• People may use various strategies to help them cope in the short term, for example, avoidance, rumination, escape. This is understandable but not helpful since these strategies make it less likely the person will do things differently - they are likely to continue feeling bad, for example, be 'stuck'.
• Basic routines are disrupted in depression but activation can increase behaviours. Not aU clients are inactive, but there may be subtle forms of avoidance.
• Examiaation of the function and consequence of behaviours is required. Which behaviours help the person to feel better? Which are associated with being depressed? What happens before and after such behaviours occur?
1' II Behaviours are increased when naturcdly positively reinforced by the environment, and activity is enhanced by making use of client