Anxiety and depression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A new intervention and case report

Anxiety and depression coexist frequently in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and compound the impact of the disease on quality of life and functional status. However, little attention has been given to the development of treatment strategies for this subset of patients. The current article describes the development of a new, multicomponent cognitive behavioral treatment for reducing anxiety and depression among patients with respiratory disease (CBT-RADAR). Outcome data from a group of 5 patients who participated in an ongoing clinical trial are reviewed to illustrate the strengths and limitations of this intervention.