A Case Report on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant Anxiety Disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35365/eass.25.02.09Keywords:
Avoidant Personality Disorder, Case Report, Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAbstract
The purpose of this case report is to describe a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based intervention for a patient diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder and to examine its effects on the individual's social functioning and anxiety levels. This study was conducted using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The client, who exhibited symptoms, was a 37-year-old man. The sessions were organized in accordance with the cognitive behavioral therapy school. The client described long-standing problems as excessive anxiety when interacting with people, hesitation to be seen in public, avoiding meeting new people, and fear of negative evaluation. When faced with speaking in a group or with friends, he avoids speaking due to cognitive distortions that predict inadequacy or inaccuracy. The client stated that he had previously seen a psychologist, but after a period of interruption, he decided to seek therapy again due to spontaneous speech problems. In the first stage, the client was informed about cognitive behavioral therapy, informed about the process, and provided psychoeducation regarding the nature of the therapy. Subsequently, the therapeutic relationship with the client was developed. At the beginning of the therapy process, a cognitive assessment was conducted, identifying the client's automatic thoughts and core beliefs. Following the initial phase, behavioral studies were conducted, and appropriate models were used. Cognitive behavioral therapy yielded significant gains in addressing the client's feelings of worthlessness, hypersensitivity to criticism, feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection, fear of ridicule and humiliation, hopelessness, and loneliness.
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