Robin culver
Liberty University
Dr. Debra McIvor
646 Psychopathology and Counseling
April 5, 2015
Case Study 1

I. Key Issues
A. 1. Long bouts of worrying, lasting for long period of time. 2. More worrying days than not. 3. Now interfering with work. 4. Friends and family are complaining and notice severe changes in his personality. 5. The worrying is now affecting his health in negative ways.
B. I have a positive outlook for Donald’s treatment. Even though the anxiety has been affecting him for years, he has been dealing with it on his own. Without medication or counseling, so treatment should not be outrageous, or debilitating.
II. Diagnostic Impressions A. Donald’s disorder would be categorized under anxiety disorders. I believe he has generalized anxiety disorder. I give this diagnosis because, the anxiety has been lasting over 6 months, he does not have control over the anxiety, and he is anxious or worried all of, or most of the time. These are all classic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
For the diagnosis, I considered depressive disorder. Even though the symptoms are similar, they are not the same. He does have recurrent thoughts of death, but they are for other people not him, he does not think about dying, he worries about things happening to his loved ones. Also he may be unable to perform his duties at work as assigned, but he does manage to get up and go to work, and has been able to keep his job year, after year. His depression is due to the fact, he worries all of the time. B. At this time, from the information I was provided, I think that the only diagnosis in this case is the generalized anxiety disorder. No duel diagnosis is necessary.
III. Treatment Recommendations 1. Cognitive behavioral therapy with a psychotherapist to discuss options, and set a plan of action. 2. Group counseling meeting, weekly at first, and then on a bi-weekly basis as the client progresses. 3. Try a natural remedy for the anxiety before any prescription medication, such as Kava Kava, this will help him sleep as well. Lavender, Chamomile, and Melatonin are also helpful. 4. A SSRI medication, such as Lexapro, or Paxil. 5. A Benzo such as Xanax, is the worst case scenario, if all else does not help.

References
Anxiety disorders and effective treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/anxiety-treatment.aspx
Common Vitamins and Supplements to Treat Anxiety. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/condition-1001-Anxiety.aspx
Generalized anxiety disorder Treatments and drugs - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/basics/treatment/con-20024562
NIMH · Anxiety Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml?rf=53414
American Psychiatric Association, & American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.