Invited case transcript behavior analysis in a case of “post-partum depression”

Abstract

A 27-year-old woman, living with her husband and infant daughter, was referred by her gynecologist to a traditional therapist for “post-partum depression”. After several visits with no improvement, she was referred to me by a colleague of her husband. Background inventories were filled out by the patient outside the office. These yielded the following information. She was of normal weight and gave no history of serious illness, medical problems or childhood neurotic problems. She had been an excellent student and had achieved a master’s degree. Her interests were in the fields of music, art and ballet, having achieved some skill in the latter. Her family, one brother and both parents. all professional people, were living on the east coast. Her religion was Jewish but not orthodox. No serious illnesses were reported in her family nor had any suffered from alcoholism or mental disorders. No evidence of phobias or other anxiety patterns were yielded by the fear inventory except for the common small animal syndrome. Stated therapeutic goal: “Overcome my depression”.