CASE STUDY
Phil (generalized anxiety disorder)

Case Study Details

Phil is a 67-year-old male who reports that his biggest problem is worrying.  He worries all of the time and about “everything under the sun.”  For example, he reports equal worry about his wife who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and whether he returned his book to the library.  He recognizes that his wife is more important than a book, and is bothered that both cause him similar levels of worry.  Phil is unable to control his worrying.  Accompanying this excessive and uncontrollable worry are difficulty failing asleep, impatience with others, difficulty focusing at work, and significant back and muscle tension.  Phil has had a lifelong problem with worry, recalling that his mother called him a “worry wart.”  His worrying does wax and wane, and worsened when his wife was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Concentration Difficulties
  • Irritability
  • Sleep Difficulties
  • Worry

Diagnoses and Related Treatments

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The following treatments have empirical support for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: