Case Study Video
Dev at Admission
Dev was admitted to The Dorm following what was described as a numb period of severe depression and emotional paralysis, along with a deep-seated feeling of hopelessness.
At a young age, Dev had received inpatient care and completed eating disorder recovery work, but they had recently withdrawn from a master’s program as their life began to unravel. They found themself disengaged from their passions and disconnected from their body and community as a queer person. After abandoning 12-step support, leaving their job, and watching their relationships deteriorate, they sought treatment to rebuild.
Diagnoses
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Goals: In Their Words
- Get back into my life: connecting with people, moving my body, writing again.
- Deal with the symptoms that keep me feeling disconnected and checked out.
- Rebuild relationships with friends and family.
- Feel present in my own life again and return to my master’s program.
Treatment Schedule
Treatment Journey:
- Throughout treatment, Dev worked closely with their therapist to rebuild structure, motivation, and connection after severe OCD and depression left them disengaged and isolated. Central to their progress was breaking their reliance on AI—they’d spend hours reassurance-seeking in a cycle that only deepened their OCD. Through DBT, ERP, and OCD Group, they gradually learned to challenge rigid thinking and perfectionistic compulsions.
- Through gentle exposures and coaching, Dev reconnected with the activities they loved—yoga, running, writing—while nutrition work helped repair their relationship with food and body.
- Medication compliance and engagement improved significantly as treatment progressed. Dev found strength in their queer identity through the TGNB Process Group and joy in volunteering at a local LGBTQ+ community center.
- Family psychoeducation built understanding and support at home, while couples therapy strengthened communication and relational stability in Dev’s romantic relationship.
Group Spotlights
OCD Group:
- “Where I built tolerance for uncertainty and reducing reliance on compulsive behaviors.”
- Objectives:
- Tolerance for uncertainty
- Compulsive behaviors
- Distress tolerance skills
- Skills Achieved:
- Ability to tolerate uncertainty in daily life
- Navigating distress without compulsions
- Resilience in response to intrusive thoughts
- Objectives:
- 100% of clients built comfort with uncertainty, even when life felt unpredictable or inconsistent
- 98% of clients report being more emotionally available and connected during special occasions like birthdays and holidays
Trans-Gender/Non-Binary Process Group:
- “Where I explored my gender and built confidence showing up more fully as myself.”
- Objectives:
- Identity exploration and ability to express oneself
- Confidence in showing up with authenticity
- Sense of self and belonging
- Skills Achieved:
- Confidence in self-expression and identity
- Comfort showing up authentically in daily life
- Sense of belonging and self-acceptance
- Objectives:
- 97% of clients developed the confidence to explore and embrace their self-expression and how they show up in the world
- 100% of clients report feeling more connected to others in their life and mental health journey
Dev Today:
At discharge, Dev had made an extraordinary turnaround. Having emerged from a period of deep dissociation, they were now switching paths, choosing to pursue a master’s in social work.
They rekindled and continued to nurture the meaningful friendships they’d once considered lost, and, within The Dorm community, discovered a renewed joy in hands-on activities such as cooking, pottery, and yoga.
Through the skills and stability Dev gained in treatment, they were able to move into their own studio apartment, empowered to step into a life filled with passion, authenticity, and newfound hope for the future.
