DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2026.v12i06.006

Pages: 605-609

Access to full structured cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols may be limited in routine psychiatric practice because of time constraints, therapist availability and patient adherence. Self-monitoring is a core CBT component, but its stand-alone clinical utility as a minimal intervention in real-world care remains insufficiently documented. This prospective four-week observational study evaluated the feasibility and short-term clinical impact of a daily CBT-based self-monitoring worksheet among outpatients followed at Ar-Razi Hospital, Salé, Morocco, for anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Participants completed a simplified daily CBT worksheet focused on situations, automatic thoughts, emotional intensity, behaviors, alternative thoughts and post-restructuring emotional intensity. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) at baseline and after four weeks. Feasibility was assessed by the number of completed worksheets and satisfaction. Twenty-eight patients were included. Mean age was 35.8 ± 6.5 years, and 64.3% were women. Diagnostic categories included anxiety disorders in 11 patients (39.3%), depressive disorders in 9 patients (32.1%) and mixed anxiety-depressive presentations in 8 patients (28.6%). Mean GAD-7 score decreased from 12.18 ± 2.45 to 7.71 ± 1.33, corresponding to a mean reduction of 4.46 points (approximately 36.7%). PHQ-9 scores also decreased, with a mean reduction of 4.75 points (approximately 36.2%). Mean emotional intensity decreased after cognitive restructuring by 4.23 ± 0.63 points. Participants completed a mean of 14.3 worksheets out of 20 expected, corresponding to approximately 71% completion. Daily CBT-based self-monitoring appears feasible and may be associated with short-term improvement in anxiety, depressive symptoms and emotional regulation. Larger controlled studies are required to confirm efficacy.