Week 2 - A Case Study: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Case Study 9: A 27-year-old, athletic young man has an intense fear of needles. He tries to rationalize his fear by explaining that he is just being cautious and protecting himself from acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS). He realizes that his fear is irrational but is unable to control it. The patient has fainted twice in the past when his blood was drawn during a physical examination. He becomes extremely anxious at the sight of a needle and worries for days before an appointment with his physician or dentist.

According to the symptoms exhibited in this patient, it can be concluded that this young man has a form of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Under the diagnostic criteria of GAD, patients show excessive anxiety (often occuring for more than a few days) about an upcoming event. This young man who is afraid of needles feels apprehensive even days before his medical appointment. Also, patients with this disorder find it very difficult to control and suppress their anxiety. Anxiety disorder patients also show symptoms of being easily fatigued, which may explain why this athletic young man fainted when he saw a needle. Therefore, this young man who is deadly afraid of needles may be diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Luckily, there are possible modes of therapy that will help patients cope with their anxiety. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that is very helpful in treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder. CBT consists of five components that help patients overcome their anxiety.

1. Education: If the patient learns more about his/her diagnosis, they will be able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy worrying.
2. Monitoring: Patients will identify what exactly causes them to worry and the duration of the worrying, which will help patients track their progress.
3. Physical Control Strategies: CBT trains patients to use deep breathing techniques and muscle relaxation in response to stressful situations.
4. Cognitive Control Strategies: Patients will evaluate their thoughts and alter their thinking patterns, which will cause their feelings of anxiety to calm down.
5. Behavioral Strategies: CBT encourages patients to conquer their fears instead of avoiding them. This helps patients to take control of their fear and become more comfortable around it.

CBT examines distortions in the way patients view the world and themselves. It is very helpful in identifying negative thoughts that contribute to the anxiety and providing an alternative viewpoint that lessens the stress.