Cognitive behaviour therapy for post-traumatic stress symptoms in the context of hydrocephalus: A single case

Abstract

There is limited information about anxiety disorders occurring in the context of the challenging condition of hydrocephalus. This paper describes the treatment, via trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (TFCBT), of post-traumatic stress symptoms arising on account of hydrocephalus in a 23-year-old man. Specific components of the intervention included exposure, cognitive disputation, and relaxation training. The 20-session intervention appeared effective with decreases in anxiety (on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and event impact (on the Impact of Events Scale) from clinical to sub-clinical levels. The main contributor to change appeared to be the exposure element of the treatment. The benefits of the intervention were maintained at one-, three-, and six-month follow-up.

Code of Practice: As there exists the potential to exacerbate a condition if correct procedures are not followed, only those with appropriate training should carry out interventions such as that described in this article. Treatments should be conducted under guidelines for good practice such as the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy's Guidelines for Good Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, which are available on their website.