2016 Volume 42 Issue 2 Pages 267-277
The present article reports a case study of a woman in her early forties, living alone, who had a major depressive episode in a bipolar II disorder. She became unable to go to work or shop and lost her appetite, and was voluntarily hospitalized. After about a month in the hospital, she spent all her time lying in bed. After that, behavioral activation was initiated, in addition to medication. Based on a functional analysis, activities leading to enjoyment, pleasure, and a sense of achievement, as well as activities leading to reinstatement were gradually increased. Following that intervention, her major depressive episode remitted, and she could return to work. Behavioral activation is a behavior therapy technique that aims to improve depression through changing behavioral patterns. Few studies have been conducted on psychotherapy using this intervention technique with patients with bipolar disorders. The present case study suggests that behavioral activation might be effective for major depressive episodes in bipolar disorders, particularly for patients aiming to return to work.
