Evaluación e intervención psicológica en un caso de trastorno adaptativo mixto con ansiedad y estado de ánimo depresivo en una mujer con recidiva por cáncer de mama

Abstract

Adjustment Disorder is at present the most frequently diagnosed psychopathology among cancer patients. In this article a case report of an adjustment disorder with mixed mood, anxiety and depressed mood, in a woman with breast cancer recurrence, is presented. A brief psychological intervention, in the crisis intervention model, cognitive – behavioural oriented is proposed. Problems expressed at physiological, motor and cognitive levels are analysed, as well as the functional relation between them and the expression of the disorder. Determinants, antecedents and consequences of the problem behaviour are also exposed. As evaluation methods, a self-made semi structured interview and the questionnaires HAD, STAI and BDI were used. They pointed out a high presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. Intervention was structured in eight weekly sessions of one and a half hour each. Quantitative and qualitative results show the efficacy of intervention in this patient’s case, and the monitoring held shows that results stand over the time. In view of the results, it is suggested that adapting intervention to the patient’s way of functioning, the selection of objectives that therapy is to comply with, the patient’s motivation level as well as familiar and social support, are important factors to take into account when designing brief psychological interventions in Psychooncology.