Emotion regulation therapy for generalized anxiety disorder comorbid with Major Depressive Disorder: A case study

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Family Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) is an in-progress treatment developed for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) comorbid with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) based on ameliorating dysfunctions in emotion regulation strategies. However, ERT is a newly evolved treatment and has not yet been examined among Iranian samples. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of ERT for the comorbid condition.Method: Treatment efficacy was assessed using single case methodology in one referred individual suffering from GAD and comorbid MDD.Results: The subject showed decreases in anxiety and depression scores and increased scores in attending, allowance, decentering and reframing emotion regulations.Conclusion: Emotion regulation therapy can be an efficient treatment for GAD comorbid with MDD.Keywords: Emotion Regulation Therapy, Comorbidity, Anxiety, Depression

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