Improved Treatment Outcomes Correlated with Combination Therapy for PatientsDiagnosed with Anxiety and/or Depression Disorders

Anxiety and depressive disorders are associated with greater psychosocial disability, increased reoccurrence, and decreased quality of life (Hirschfeld, 2001). Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) must be prepared to properly treat patients with anxiety and/or depression so that improved treatment outcomes are obtained. Evidence demonstrates that adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to the treatment plans of patients with anxiety and/or depression disorders that receive pharmacotherapy would correlate with a decrease in the symptoms of anxiety and depression reported by the patients (Hollon & Stewart, 2006). The purpose of this clinical scholarly project is to evaluate the evidence by measuring the effectiveness of adding eight 30 minute sessions of CBT to the treatment plans of patients who were only receiving a selective serotonin reuptake inhibiter (SSRI) to treat their anxiety and/or depressive symptoms at an outpatient clinic. Nineteen adult patients that were diagnosed with an anxiety and/or depression disorder were recruited from a private practice that provides psychiatric services to participate in this paired t-test study. Different techniques of CBT were provided to the participants over the eight weeks of the project. Pre-test assessment scores were obtained prior to the CBT intervention, and post-test assessments scores were obtained after the CBT intervention utilizing the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The scores of the HAM-A and HAM-D post-test assessments where compare to the pre-test assessments scores. Post-test assessment scores indicated that participants reported experiencing decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms after completing the eight CBT sessions while continuing to follow their medication regimens as prescribed.