Brief Behavioral Activation Intervention for Depressed Asthma and Urticaria Patients

Brief Behavioral Activation Intervention for Depressed Asthma and Urticaria Patients

Depression and other unhealthy behaviors, such as not taking medication as prescribed and not attending doctor visits have been suggested to increase the worsening of allergic diseases (e.g. asthma, urticaria). We intend to determine whether a one-session behavioral intervention is effective in helping with depression and controlling disease symptoms. We will measure this using pre- and post-intervention surveys.

The purpose of this research study is to investigate whether a one-session behavioral activation intervention for depression can successfully reduce depression and improve asthma or urticaria disease-relevant outcomes (medication adherence, doctor's visits, substance abuse) in clinical patients with asthma or urticaria who report heightened levels of depression and are seen in the UMMC Allergy Clinic.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Potential participants should be between the ages 18 and 64, seen in the UMMC Allergy Clinic with either asthma or urticaria and who report symptoms of depression in the previous 2 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Potential participants younger than 18 and older than 64 or who do not speak English or cannot comprehend the consent form or women who are pregnant are excluded.