Citation

Williams MT, Capozzoli MC, Buckner EV, Yusko D. Clin. Case Stud. 2015; 14(5): 323-341.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1534650114559717

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We report on the cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) of a patient with comorbid social anxiety disorder (SAD), schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder, complicated by alcohol abuse. Symptoms included auditory hallucinations that commented on the patient's behavior and paranoid thoughts. The paranoid symptoms affected his social interactions as this included the fear that his thoughts may be heard and judged by others. Therapeutic activities raised awareness as to how avoidance interferes with and perpetuates the cycle of depression and psychosis while maintaining symptoms of SAD. Psychoeducation was provided about factors that maintain social anxiety and increase social isolation. New skills were obtained by helping the patient discover alternative ways to view social situations, experimentation, and real-world application to disprove notions about others' predicted behavior. Treatment led to a great reduction in social anxiety, depression, and suspicious thinking. This case study demonstrates that SAD symptoms in a patient experiencing psychosis can be effectively treated using CBT. © SAGE Publications.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; social interaction; male; case report; suicidal ideation; schizophrenia; therapy; suicide attempt; major depression; comorbidity; psychoeducation; alcohol abuse; alcohol consumption; social adaptation; venlafaxine; self report; cognitive therapy; trazodone; follow up; risperidone; social phobia; negative syndrome; benzodiazepine; paranoid schizophrenia; lamotrigine; topiramate; attention deficit disorder; schizoaffective psychosis; Beck Depression Inventory; auditory hallucination; Article; family stress; visual hallucination; young adult; mini international neuropsychiatric interview; social stress; Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale; anticipatory anxiety; anxiety assessment; inventory of hostility and suspiciousness; personal space; quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire; social anxiety disorder; social phobia inventory; social phobia weekly summary scale; subjective units of sistress scale