Schema-Focused Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder and Personality Disorder

Abstract

This is a single case study of a college age male with major depressive disorder and personality disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). The patient endorsed feelings of sadness, worthlessness, inattention, isolation, and suicidal and homicidal ideation. In addition, the patient endorsed inflexible and pervasive behavioral patterns such as paranoia, isolation, and narcissism. Treatment consisted of schema therapy, with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship (limited reparenting). The patient completed Young’s Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) prior to initiating treatment and again following treatment. Schemas endorsed at moderate to high levels include Failure, Enmeshment, Abandonment, Emotional Deprivation, Punitiveness, Negativity/Pessimism, and Social Isolation. Following 68 weeks of schema therapy, the patient endorsed all 18 schemas at a “low” level. In addition, whether these findings demonstrated clinically significant change was examined. Results indicate that four out of seven of the patient’s endorsed schemas demonstrated clinically significant change (Emotional Deprivation, Punitiveness, Negativity/Pessimism, and Social Isolation).