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Case study on Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Clinical Psychology

This document is a detailed case study for students and practitioners of Clinical Psychology, based on a real-life scenario of a 24-year-old female experiencing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It includes clinical observations, mental status examination, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria application, psychosocial background, and treatment implications. The case highlights the impact of workplace betrayal, early parental loss, caregiver burden, and pre-existing medical conditions such as hypothyroidism and high blood pressure. This study is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses, especially those covering Abnormal Psychology, Mental Health Assessment, and Counseling Techniques. Prepared as part of a mental health work-up under supervision, it serves as an educational resource for students learning how to document, assess, and interpret psychological symptoms in real-world settings.

Typology: Study Guides, Projects, Research

2023/2024

Available from 06/19/2025

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Case Story: The Quiet Storm – A Journey Through Anxiety
Once upon a time, in a bustling city lived a 24-year-old woman who worked as a communication
strategist in a well-known company. On the surface, she seemed like any other young professional—
working a 9-to-5 job, managing responsibilities, trying to build a life.
But beneath that calm exterior, a quiet storm had begun to brew.
The Trigger🌪️
A few months ago, her boss had taken a personal loan. Nothing unusual about that—except, without
her knowledge or consent, he listed her name as a reference. Soon after, her phone began to buzz
incessantly with calls from strangers—banks, agents, voices demanding repayment, voices she didn’t
recognize.
At first, she tried to brush it off. Maybe it was a mistake. But as the calls continued, day after day, her
sense of safety began to unravel.
Every unknown number now came with a surge of fear. Her heart would race. She began to feel dizzy.
She couldn’t focus at work. Sleep became fragmented, and when she did sleep, she’d wake up more
tired than before.
She wasn’t just frightened anymore—she was overwhelmed.
Her Inner World
This wasn’t the first time she had faced the world alone.
Two years ago, she had lost her father. At just 22, she was thrust into the role of caregiver, managing
everything—including her mother, who suffers from an unspecified neurological condition. The loss
didn’t give her time to grieve—it gave her responsibility.
Now, her fears weren’t just about loan calls. They extended to her mother’s health, her job, her own
mental state. She began feeling restless, emotional, worried all the time, and sometimes even
perplexed without a clear reason.
Her mind wouldn’t stop racing.
She avoided calls, avoided conversations, and started feeling like she might say the wrong thing or be
humiliated. Talking became difficult; she feared miscommunication. Her self-esteem dipped, and a
cloud of helplessness began to settle in.
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Case Story: The Quiet Storm – A Journey Through Anxiety

Once upon a time, in a bustling city lived a 24-year-old woman who worked as a communication strategist in a well-known company. On the surface, she seemed like any other young professional— working a 9-to-5 job, managing responsibilities, trying to build a life. But beneath that calm exterior, a quiet storm had begun to brew.  🌪️ The Trigger A few months ago, her boss had taken a personal loan. Nothing unusual about that—except, without her knowledge or consent, he listed her name as a reference. Soon after, her phone began to buzz incessantly with calls from strangers—banks, agents, voices demanding repayment, voices she didn’t recognize. At first, she tried to brush it off. Maybe it was a mistake. But as the calls continued, day after day, her sense of safety began to unravel. Every unknown number now came with a surge of fear. Her heart would race. She began to feel dizzy. She couldn’t focus at work. Sleep became fragmented, and when she did sleep, she’d wake up more tired than before. She wasn’t just frightened anymore—she was overwhelmed.  Her Inner World This wasn’t the first time she had faced the world alone. Two years ago, she had lost her father. At just 22, she was thrust into the role of caregiver, managing everything—including her mother, who suffers from an unspecified neurological condition. The loss didn’t give her time to grieve—it gave her responsibility. Now, her fears weren’t just about loan calls. They extended to her mother’s health, her job, her own mental state. She began feeling restless, emotional, worried all the time, and sometimes even perplexed without a clear reason. Her mind wouldn’t stop racing. She avoided calls, avoided conversations, and started feeling like she might say the wrong thing or be humiliated. Talking became difficult; she feared miscommunication. Her self-esteem dipped, and a cloud of helplessness began to settle in.

🧠 A Visit to the Clinic Eventually, she walked into a mental health center, seeking help. She explained what had been going on. The professionals noted several things:

  1. She looked tired but composed.
  2. She maintained eye contact but had a guarded posture.
  3. Her speech was coherent, but her thoughts jumped quickly—a flight of ideas.
  4. Her mood was anxious, her affect tense.
  5. She had no hallucinations, but was highly preoccupied with her worries. She was oriented, intelligent, and fully insightful—she knew something was wrong. She just didn't know how to fix it. 🧠 The Diagnosis After a thorough evaluation, the clinical team diagnosed her with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to the DSM-5 criteria, GAD is characterized by:
  6. Excessive anxiety occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
  7. Worry that is difficult to control
  8. Physical symptoms like fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances
  9. Impaired functioning in daily life She ticked all the boxes. Her sleep was disrupted, she was constantly worrying, especially about things beyond her control, and her body was beginning to show signs of strain—from palpitations to rising blood pressure. 🧠 The Way Forward The clinicians explained that her condition was treatable. With therapy, stress management techniques, and possibly medication, she could reclaim control over her life. More importantly, she wasn’t alone anymore. What had begun as a storm of unknown calls had uncovered something deeper: years of unresolved