Sheila attends for an appointment with a cardiac psychologist and, together, they agree that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might help her adjust to the impact of her heart failure and develop strategies to cope with her illness. Research has shown that CBT can help improve symptoms of depression.
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on teaching people skills to assist them to see their situation in a more helpful way and to learn some skills of managing life in a more productive manner. This means it is very helpful for people who have had a cardiac event or have a cardiac disease. Having heart failure can be stressful and can make people question their ability to live with the lifestyle changes the disease can bring. CBT helps people refocus on the positive view and develop strategies for the challenges they are facing. The skills allow people to relax more, see the future in a more helpful manner and, generally, feel more in control of their life.
Please see the following videos for more information on CBT:
Although this is a resource for patients, it is a useful introduction to CBT
This video offers an indication of what happens at an initial face to face CBT session.
Sheila will find it difficult travelling to attend her local cardiac psychology department for CBT sessions, due to her breathlessness and caring for her husband, so she and the cardiac psychologist decide that she will access an online CBT course (Living Life to the Full) and that she will be supported by a practitioner trained in SPIRIT (Structured Psychosocial Interventions in Teams course Five areas: SPIRIT Training Project (Glasgow) . Sheila’s daughter has already bought her a mobile tablet to help with online shopping, and agrees to help her mother accessing the online materials until she feels comfortable doing it herself. The SPIRIT practitioner will phone Sheila regularly to support her.
Pulse point
An independent audit of patients who had completed the Living Life to the Full online course found that 83% had either recovered or were in remission from depression and low mood. (NHS Living Life/NHS24 CBT Telephone Support Service audit available from NMAHP Research Unit, University of Stirling, on request.)
Page last reviewed: 25 Sep 2020
