scholarly journals Introducing a Group Therapy Program (PLAN D) for Young Outpatients with Derealization and Depersonalization: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Rahel Flückiger ◽  
Stefanie J. Schmidt ◽  
Chantal Michel ◽  
Jochen Kindler ◽  
Michael Kaess

Depersonalization and derealization (DD) cause significant distress and are associated with poor role and social functional outcomes. Despite the relatively high prevalence of DD symptoms and the chronic course in those suffering from a DD disorder, there still exists a need for effective interventions. Preliminary evidence indicates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered in an individual setting demonstrates some positive intervention effects for patients with DD regarding their symptom levels. By considering DD-specific treatment needs, a group therapy program was developed as an add-on therapy based on CBT techniques called PLAN D comprising the following elements: psychoeducation, lifestyle interventions, acceptance and mindfulness training, and new patterns of DD-related cognitions. In a pilot study, we present an 8-week group intervention for adolescents and young adults with DD disorder. To our knowledge, no standardized group intervention program for DD exists so far. Thus, this novel intervention represents a promising opportunity to positively influence long-term outcomes and course of DD.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-437
Author(s):  
Rachel Weinstock ◽  
Nicole Caporino ◽  
Susanna Crowell McQuarrie ◽  
Emily Ronkin ◽  
Laura A. Wright ◽  
...  

Selective mutism (SM) is a childhood disorder characterized by persistent failure to speak in situations where speech is expected. There is evidence that behavioral interventions are effective for increasing speech in children with SM but studies have been limited by small, relatively homogeneous samples. Although twins appear to be disproportionately represented among children with SM, little is known about their specific treatment needs and barriers to effective treatment implementation in this population. This case study presents family-based behavioral therapy delivered to a set of 8-year-old, identical twins with SM. At posttreatment, both children displayed marked improvements in speaking and social engagement. Clinical considerations for working with twins with SM are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Christiansen ◽  
Jana Anding ◽  
Bastian Schrott ◽  
Bernd Röhrle

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wölfling ◽  
M. E. Beutel ◽  
M. Dreier ◽  
K. W. Müller

Internet addiction is regarded as a growing health concern in many parts of the world with prevalence rates of 1-2% in Europe and up to 7% in some Asian countries. Clinical research has demonstrated that Internet addiction is accompanied with loss of interests, decreased psychosocial functioning, social retreat, and heightened psychosocial distress. Specialized treatment programs are needed to face this problem that has recently been added to the appendix of the DSM-5. While there are numerous studies assessing clinical characteristics of patients with Internet addiction, the knowledge about the effectiveness of treatment programs is limited. Although a recent meta-analysis indicates that those programs show effects, more clinical studies are needed here. To add knowledge, we conducted a pilot study on the effects of a standardized cognitive-behavioral therapy program for IA. 42 male adults meeting criteria for Internet addiction were enrolled. Their IA-status, psychopathological symptoms, and perceived self-efficacy expectancy were assessed before and after the treatment. The results show that 70.3% of the patients finished the therapy regularly. After treatment symptoms of IA had decreased significantly. Psychopathological symptoms were reduced as well as associated psychosocial problems. The results of this pilot study emphasize findings from the only meta-analysis conducted so far.


2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Russell Ramsay ◽  
Anthony L. Rostain

Medications are considered the primary treatment for symptoms of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although medications alone may not produce sufficient functional improvements for many patients. Moreover, some adults with ADHD decline pharmacotherapy due to lack of response, side effects, medical contraindication, or personal choice. This article reports on the clinical outcomes of five adults with ADHD who completed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) without concurrent medication treatment. Nonparametric analysis of pretreatment and posttreatment clinical data indicated significant improvements on various measures of ADHD symptoms, overall functioning, depression, and anxiety. Although limited by the small sample size, the current pilot study provides preliminary evidence that CBT may be helpful for adults with ADHD who decline or are unable to take medications in cases in which their symptoms and impairments are relatively mild and uncomplicated. The limitations of this open pilot study and directions for future research also are discussed.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Pia Van Noppen ◽  
Kim van Dun ◽  
Siel Depestele ◽  
Stefanie Verstraelen ◽  
Raf Meesen ◽  
...  

Background: Burnout is characterized by deficiencies in attention and several components of the working memory, of which the lingering effects of impaired attention and executive functions are the most frustrating. We hypothesized that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve the executive control of attention and possibly several other components of working memory in patients with burnout. Methods: This was a randomized double-blind sham-controlled pilot study with two groups. Patients with burnout received three weeks of daily sessions (15 sessions in total) of atDCS or sham stimulation in addition to three weekly sessions of standard behavioral therapy. The primary outcome measure was attention and the central executive of the working memory. Secondary, the effect of atDCS was measured on other components of working memory, on burnout and depression scores, and on quality of life (QoL). Results: We enrolled and randomly assigned 16 patients to a sham or real stimulation group, 15 (7 sham, 8 real) were included in the analysis. atDCS had a significant impact on attention. Post-hoc comparisons also revealed a trend towards more improvement after real tDCS for inhibition and shifting, updating and control, and encoding. Both groups improved on burnout and depression scores. Conclusion: These data provide preliminary evidence for the value of atDCS over the left DLPFC in rehabilitating attention deficits, and possibly also central executive and encoding deficits, in burnout. However, the current study has some limitations, including the sample size and heterogeneous patient population. More elaborate studies are needed to elucidate the specific impact of atDCS over the left DLPFC on burnout. Trial registration: ISRCTN.com (ISRCTN94275121) 17/11/19


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Pia Van Noppen ◽  
Kim van Dun ◽  
Siel Depestele ◽  
Stefanie Verstraelen ◽  
Raf Meesen ◽  
...  

Background: Burnout is characterized by deficiencies in attention and several components of the working memory. It has been shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can have a positive effect on burnout and depressive symptoms, however, the lingering effects of impaired attention and executive functions are the most frustrating. We hypothesized that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve the executive control of attention and possibly several other components of working memory in patients with burnout. Methods: This was a randomized double-blind sham-controlled pilot study with two groups. Patients with burnout received three weeks of daily sessions (15 sessions in total) of atDCS or sham stimulation in addition to three weekly sessions of standard behavioral therapy. The primary outcome measure was attention and the central executive of the working memory. Secondary, the effect of atDCS was measured on other components of working memory, on burnout and depression scores, and on quality of life (QoL). Results: We enrolled and randomly assigned 16 patients to a sham or real stimulation group, 15 (7 sham, 8 real) were included in the analysis. atDCS had a significant impact on attention. Post-hoc comparisons also revealed a trend towards more improvement after real tDCS for inhibition and shifting, updating and control, and encoding. Both groups improved on burnout and depression scores. Conclusion: These data provide preliminary evidence for the value of atDCS over the left DLPFC in rehabilitating attention deficits, and possibly also central executive and encoding deficits, in burnout. However, the current study has some limitations, including the sample size and heterogeneous patient population. More elaborate studies are needed to elucidate the specific impact of atDCS over the left DLPFC on burnout. Trial registration: ISRCTN.com ( ISRCTN94275121) 17/11/19


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura C. Reigada ◽  
Ashley R. Polokowski ◽  
Deborah J. Walder ◽  
Eva M. Szigethy ◽  
Keith J. Benkov ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Hosogoshi ◽  
Kazunori Iwasa ◽  
Takaki Fukumori ◽  
Yuriko Takagishi ◽  
Yoshitake Takebayashi ◽  
...  

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