Case Presentation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With an Older Adult With Major Depressive Disorder Comorbid With Multiple Sclerosis

This is a detailed single-case presentation of a 70-year-old Caucasian, married woman suffering from multiple sclerosis and significant chronic depression. Her presentation was complicated by traumatic events during childhood and a recent decline in physical abilities due to multiple sclerosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy was used and excellent outcomes were achieved. This article describes how cognitive behavioral therapy was effectively adapted to treat this patient whose longstanding physical disability was progressively intruding into the patient's quality of life and her interactions with others, particularly her husband. In writing this account of how therapy was delivered, the authors pay particular attention to the need for flexibility so that the cognitive behavioral therapy met this patient's individual needs.