GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD 2
GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Courtney Robertson
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 603: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice Across the Lifespan
July 2019
Running head: GAD 1
GAD 3
GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety, uncontrolled worry, feeling on edge, poor concentration, restlessness, irritability, impaired social or occupational functioning physical symptoms, fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping (Kehoe, 2017). Patients who have confirmed diagnosis of GAD experience decrease in quality of life and have difficulty finding enjoyment in their normal daily activities. Treatment should be aimed toward improving symptoms and maintaining a prevention of relapses (Kehoe, 2017).
Summary of Case Study
H.W. is a 27-year-old Caucasian female who presents to the family practice clinic with reports of constant worry and feeling like something bad could happen since a serious illness/hospitalization 4 months ago. Also, she reports stress from a poor relationship with her mother and being the sole provider to her boyfriend and 3-year-old daughter. Symptoms include not wanting to get out of bed in the mornings and unable to fall asleep at night due to not being able to shut her mind off. She has been coming home from work to re-do all housework already completed by her boyfriend and is not able to sit still and relax. She also reports finding herself crying over issue that would not have bothered her before. Symptoms have been at their worse for the last month. A known history of migraines, cholecystectomy, sepsis/pyelonephritis, kidney stone and obesity with current medication being Propranolol 80mg BID. She lives with her boyfriend and 3-year-old daughter, boyfriend does not work due to diagnosis of PTSD. She recently lost her 2 year job as a secretary for a chiropractor and began her new position as an admitting director at a nursing home 5 …
