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Treating comorbid depression and avoidant personality disorder: The case of Andy
Author(s) -
Maillard Pauline,
Pellaton Julie,
Kramer Ueli
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22764
Subject(s) - psychology , avoidant personality disorder , personality disorders , borderline personality disorder , anxiety , psychotherapist , substance abuse , personality , depression (economics) , flexibility (engineering) , clinical psychology , major depressive disorder , psychiatry , cognition , psychoanalysis , statistics , mathematics , economics , macroeconomics
Major depressive disorder is among the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders and is often accompanied by other disorders such as anxiety or substance abuse. As a result of a complicated tangle of comorbidities, psychotherapy in such cases can become quite demanding. The present case study presents and discusses the challenges represented by a complex case of psychotherapy, focusing on ongoing modifications of the clinical hypotheses and therapeutic approach. This process is illustrated through the case of Andy, a 44‐year‐old man suffering from depressive disorder, social phobia, substance dependency, and an avoidant personality disorder. This case draws attention to the quality of the relationship and the flexibility and adaptation required from the therapist while depicting an integrative way of working therapeutically with complex cases.