Case Study 7

Case Study 7: A 35-year-old clothing salesman was showing a particularly fussy customer a suit 2 months ago and suddenly began to sweat profusely. His heart started to pound, he felt dizzy, and became fearful that he was about to die. The customer didn’t notice his condition and continued to question him about the suit in minute detail. The patient, feeling faint, abruptly left the customer and went to lie down in the back of the store. The customer became insulted, complained to the manager, and left. When the manager found the patient he was slumped in a chair in the back room trembling. Approximately 10 minutes later the patient’s symptoms began to subside. He saw his physician the next day who found no evidence of any medical problems. Two weeks later, he had another similar unexpected attack. Since that time he has worried continuously about having another attack. His friends and colleagues have noticed that he is no longer as spontaneous and outgoing as he had been in the past.

-According to http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm#Anxiety, this 35-year-old clothing salesman has panic disorder. Some symptoms of panic disorder include shortness of breath, trembling or shaking, sweating, feeling dizzy, and heart palptations, which the patient is all observed to have. According to http://www.helpguide.org/mental/panic_disorder_anxiety_attack_symptom_treatment.htm, cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of treatment for panic attacks, panic disorders, and agoraphobia. This type of therapy focuses on the patient's thinking patterns and behaviors that are causing the panic disorders, which helps the people see their disorder in a realistic point of view. I also recommend exposure therapy, which is when the patient experiences the physical feelings of panic in a safe and controlled environment. By have more "practice" at the panic sensation, the patient can learn healthier ways to cope with it.