Case Studies
Turning Problems into Solutions!
Do watch this short video about how in everyday life, we automatically see a problem rather than see the solution it presents!
(From Michael McMillan & Simple Truths)
A Selection of Short Case Studies of recent patients seen by Debbie Featherstone at the Clitheroe Therapies Clinic
The following Case Studies include work with problems such as tinnitus, dizziness & balance, depression, anxiety, post trauma stress, obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep problems, weight problems, fears and phobias
Lady in her fifties
Gentleman in his twenties
Lady in her thirties
Gentleman in his fifties
Lady in her fifties
- Initial enquiry- severe dizziness and balance problem
- At assessment - vertigo and dizziness following onset some 8 weeks prior to finding help at Clitheroe Therapies Clinic. Had attended an ENT consultation with a promise of further investigation. Had been unable to work since onset of the problem
- Therapy used - vestibular rehabilitation
- Outcome - returned to work within 5 weeks of attending assessment (Outcome used: Dizziness Handicap Inventory)
Lady in her twenties
- Initial enquiry - fear of driving
- At assessment - evidence of obsessive thoughts and other aspects of OCD, irrational thoughts and beliefs concerning her own abilities across a number of areas in her life affecting motivation to progress with her life
- Therapy used - cognitive therapy and altered-state work (similar to hypnotherapy)
- Outcome - regained full control of her thoughts, highly motivated and making plans for career progression including attending a specialist advanced driving school to complete her journey
- Further information on Fear of Driving
Gentleman in his late thirties
- Initial enquiry – fear of flying
- At assessment – longstanding phobic behaviour over travelling on planes or trains, and even in a car for any distance. Feelings of being “trapped” resulted in panic attacks. Also, loss of confidence in the workplace and unable to go to any event where there were lots of people. Felt he was being watched by others – this made him feel extremely uneasy, even when the other people were known to him including family and friends. His wedding was due in a few weeks time, and he was not looking forward to it as he saw it as an ordeal that he was afraid to face because of his anxieties
- Therapy used – cognitive therapy
- Outcome – no more phobic behaviour, was able to travel by plane, train and car without worrying or uncomfortable feelings; and he thoroughly enjoyed his wedding!
Lady in her early forties
- Initial enquiry – high levels of anxiety and some depression; wanted to lose weight
- At assessment – had many anxieties including “fear of death”; longstanding problems with sleep; previous history of breakdown approximately 6 years before. Many anxieties – the most significant (to her) was her inability to lose weight and use of food as a “comfort”; eating packets of biscuits and other foods in large quantities sporadically and then feeling guilty about it! Had previously tried CBT with another therapist and felt it had been unhelpful
- Therapy used – hypnotherapy
- Outcome – no significant anxiety or depression; eating habits changed; self-confidence and high self-esteem returned
Gentleman in his early seventies
- Initial enquiry – severe depression and anxiety following several years of coping after a stroke
- At assessment – unable to come to terms with the changes that the stroke had caused and the effect those changes had made in his life. He felt “useless” and a “failure”. Lack of self-esteem and self confidence, and felt he was a burden on his family
- Therapy used – cognitive therapy
- Outcome – he found a new way of looking at his life; more accepting of his condition and was able to move forward rather than being stuck in the past, resenting what had happened to change his life
Gentleman in his fifties
- Initial enquiry – tinnitus following a road traffic accident (RTA)
- At assessment – tinnitus was less of a problem than the post-trauma stress that had resulted from the RTA. Was unable to talk about the accident without “re-living” it; flashbacks and nightmares; poor sleep; withdrawal from socialising with family and friends; excessive dependence on alcohol
- Therapy used – cognitive therapy and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)
- Outcome – full recovery
