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Behavioral Activation of a Breast Cancer Patient With Coexistent Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

University of Tennessee

Derek R. Hopko

University of Tennessee, dhopko{at}utk.edu

Recently developed behavioral activation interventions have shown promise in effectively treating depression through increasing value-based activity levels that elicit response-contingent reinforcement. This case study highlights the implementation of behavioral activation to a breast cancer patient with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, applied within the context of a medical center oncology clinic. Following an eight-session behavioral activation protocol, the patient demonstrated notable decreases in self-reported depressive and anxious symptoms and an overall increase in quality of life and medical functioning. These treatment gains were maintained through 6-month follow-up. Consistent with an accumulating literature, these data support behavioral activation as an effective and parsimonious intervention for individuals with depression and concurrent medical problems such as breast cancer.

Key Words: breast cancer • behavioral activation • depression • anxiety

Clinical Case Studies, Vol. 8, No. 1, 25-37 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1534650108327474


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