Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Burt is a 27-year old electrician who complains of dizziness, sweating palms,
heart palpitations, and ringing of the ears of more than 24 months duration. He has also
experienced dry mouth and throat, periods of extreme muscle tension, and a constant
“edgy” and watchful feeling that has often interfered with his ability to concentrate.
These feelings have been present most of the time over the previous two years; they have
not been limited to discrete periods. Although these symptoms sometimes make him feel
“discouraged”, he denies feeling depressed and continues to enjoy activities with his
family.
Although Burt has not complained or appears concerned over having a specific
ailment, he has seen a family practitioner, a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor,
and an ear-nose-throat specialist in the recent past to discuss his symptoms. He had been
placed on a hypoglycemic diet, received physiotherapy for a pinched nerve, and told he
might have “an inner ear problem”.
Burt also has many worries, even though he denies they have any intrusive quality
to his life. He often worries about the health of his parents. His father, in fact, had a
myocardial infarction two years previously, but is now feeling much better. Burt also
worries about whether he is “a good father”, whether his wife will ever leave him (there
is no indication that she is dissatisfied with the marriage), and whether he is liked by
coworkers on the job. Although he recognizes that his concerns are often unfounded, Burt
is still troubled by these issues.
For the past two years, Burt has had few social contacts because of his symptoms.
Although he sometimes had to leave work when the symptoms became intolerable, he
continues to work for the same company he joined for his apprenticeship following high
school graduation. Burt tends to hide his symptoms from his wife and children, to whom
he wants to appear “perfect”, and reports few problems with them as a result.
2
DISCUSSION POST #1 QUESTIONS
(1) What is the correct diagnosis for Burt’s problem(s)? Be specific with your diagnosis.
Explain why you believe that is the correct diagnosis (mention at least 2 symptoms that stood out
to you).
(2) Please mention one other disorder that is similar to Burt’s and why you ruled that one out
as a correct diagnosis for his problem(s) (e.g., diagnosis of narcolepsy instead of sleep apnea,
etc.). Remember, the disorder you rule out must be in the same DSM-5 category/chapter of
mental illness as your diagnosis
