Reply to Isma Azeem

RE: DB 2.2 - Case study: Cooper

Great post, Isma. Indeed, the case study reveals that Cooper is experiencing major

depressive disorders, hence adopting interpersonal psychotherapy to address his situations. The

symptoms are related to those discussed in this unit’s readings. According to the film by

Relationships (2021), the symptoms of major depression may include sleep disturbances, fatigue,

hopelessness, substance abuse, change in weight and appetite, the threat of suicide, memory loss,

and chronic physical pain. Cooper reported experiencing most of these symptoms, and there is a

need to help the client enhance his social functioning. The week’s readings emphasized that

depressive disorders have strong genetic components linked to the parents.

Similarly, Cooper believes that his condition is related to his parents’ encounter as he

reported that his mother suffered from depression and nothing could help her. It is vital to help

this client understand that both interpersonal factors and external factors cause depression.

Effective counseling processes and life encounters can help in activating or putting off the

genetic factors triggering depression. If this writer were counseling Cooper, she would use

various steps of the IPT approach to understand the client’s problem and plan for the time frame

of the therapy sessions. Wedding and Corsini (2019) stated that the main steps of treating major

depressive disorders include the initial, middle, and termination stages. It is also essential to help

Cooper understand that his condition is a treatable medical problem. The approach will improve

his interpersonal functioning, which is essential in his recovery process.

References
Relationships [Film]. (2021). Symptom Media. Retrieved from https://symptommedia-

com.postu.idm.oclc.org/cooper-major-depressive-disorder-single-episode-severe-depression-

assessment-relationships/

Wedding, D. & Corsini, R. J. (Eds.). (2019). Current psychotherapies (11th Ed.). Boston, MA:

Cengage.
 Reply to Jessica Ventura

RE: DB 2.2 - Case study: Cooper

Hey Jessica,

Thanks for sharing this informative post on the application of Interpersonal

Psychotherapy (IPT) to Cooper’s situation. I firmly agree with your argument that Cooper is

suffering from major depressive disorder, and this is a condition he has experienced over an

extended period. If this writer were Cooper’s counselor, she would also adopt the three steps of

treating episodes of major depressive disorders. According to Wedding and Corsini (2019),

treating clients with mental disorders involves the initial, middle, and termination stages. ITP is a

time-limited and focused approach that requires the counselor to plan for the time frames of the

counseling session to help the client improve their well-being effectively. Prout and Wadkins

(2014) emphasized the need for adopting an understanding of the client’s situation. Therefore,

during the initial stage of the counseling process, the counselor should create strong rapport and

trust with the client. This will help the client to share all information and life events that could be

accelerating his condition. Although most cases of depressive disorders are genetically

transmitted, there are various ways of managing the condition and prevent development to severe

levels. I also agree with you that discussing Cooper’s symptoms at the initial phase could help

understand the main causes of the client’s condition and hence helps in the treatment phase

adopted in the middle level. After the client has fully recovered, the final stage of IPT is to

terminate the client. This should be done after the counselor is assured that the client shows a

significant decline in the symptoms of the mental disorders.

References
Prout, P., & Wadkins. M. (2014). Essential Interviewing and Counseling Skills : An Integrated

Approach to Practice. Springer Publishing Company.

Wedding, D. & Corsini, R. J. (Eds.). (2019). Current psychotherapies (11th Ed.). Boston, MA:

Cengage.