Patient Case Study
Our patient presents with two possible diagnoses. The first diagnoses is Generalized Anxiety Disorder and/or Agoraphobia. Generalized anxiety is defined by Wade & Tavris, (2017), as “A continuous state of anxiety marked by feelings of worry in addition to dread, apprehension, difficulties in concentration, as well as signs of motor tension.” (p.547). Generalized anxiety disorder involves insistent in addition to disproportionate worry that affects the persons daily activities psychologically as well as physically.
Agoraphobia according to Wade & Tavris, (2017) is defined as “A set of phobias, often set off by a panic attack, involving the basic fear of being away from a safe place or person” (p. 548). Agoraphobia is a fear …show more content…
Palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feeling of chocking, chest discomfort, chest pain, nausea or abdominal pain, feeling of dizziness, unsteady, lightheaded, faint, paresthesia, fear of losing control, and fear of dying. Patients many times can report fear, worry of the implications of the attack, over time this can cause changes in their personality traits. The patients may become more passive, dependent, or even withdrawn. There may be alcohol or drugs involved to manage or cope with the anxiety.
Panic attacks may unknowingly strike at any time without warning, regardless of what they may be doing. She may fear having a panic attack to the point where she goes to great strides to avoid certain situations. As seen in her history our patient has lost the ability to leave her home. These attacks take a very powerful emotional toll on the person affected.
Diagnosis & Disorders The Merck Manual (Greist, 2014) states that the diagnostic criteria of General Anxiety Disorders are patients presenting with excessive anxiety and worries for greater than 6 months, with at least three of the following:
• Restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling
• Easily
Our patient presents with two possible diagnoses. The first diagnoses is Generalized Anxiety Disorder and/or Agoraphobia. Generalized anxiety is defined by Wade & Tavris, (2017), as “A continuous state of anxiety marked by feelings of worry in addition to dread, apprehension, difficulties in concentration, as well as signs of motor tension.” (p.547). Generalized anxiety disorder involves insistent in addition to disproportionate worry that affects the persons daily activities psychologically as well as physically.
Agoraphobia according to Wade & Tavris, (2017) is defined as “A set of phobias, often set off by a panic attack, involving the basic fear of being away from a safe place or person” (p. 548). Agoraphobia is a fear …show more content…
Palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feeling of chocking, chest discomfort, chest pain, nausea or abdominal pain, feeling of dizziness, unsteady, lightheaded, faint, paresthesia, fear of losing control, and fear of dying. Patients many times can report fear, worry of the implications of the attack, over time this can cause changes in their personality traits. The patients may become more passive, dependent, or even withdrawn. There may be alcohol or drugs involved to manage or cope with the anxiety.
Panic attacks may unknowingly strike at any time without warning, regardless of what they may be doing. She may fear having a panic attack to the point where she goes to great strides to avoid certain situations. As seen in her history our patient has lost the ability to leave her home. These attacks take a very powerful emotional toll on the person affected.
Diagnosis & Disorders The Merck Manual (Greist, 2014) states that the diagnostic criteria of General Anxiety Disorders are patients presenting with excessive anxiety and worries for greater than 6 months, with at least three of the following:
• Restlessness or a keyed-up or on-edge feeling
• Easily