一例一般心理问题的案例报告IntroductionIn psychology, case report is a descriptive study of an individual or a group of individuals who demonstrate rare, unusual, or perplexing mental disorders or behaviors. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of a client who presents general psychological issues with symptoms of anxiety and withdrawal. The client was a 25-year-old female who sought therapy to address her difficulties in maintaining healthy and meaningful relationships. The report will provide a brief background of the client's history, discuss the presenting symptoms and psychological assessments, formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan, and conclude with the outcome of the therapy.BackgroundThe client, named Mary, is a 25-year-old female who lives alone in a small apartment in the city. She is unemployed and has no close friends or family. She was brought up in a traditional and conservative family setting where she was taught to always strive for excellence, especially in her academic performance. Mary had a consistent pattern of being an overachiever in school, but she experienced difficulties in making friends or engaging in social activities. When she graduated from college and entered the workforce, she had difficulty adjusting to the new environment and quit her job after two months. She then became increasingly withdrawn, spending most of her time at home and avoiding contact with others.Presenting SymptomsMary's primary complaints were difficulty in establishing interpersonal relationships, consistent feelings of anxiety, and a sense of being disconnected or numb. During the first session, Mary reported feeling nervous and uncomfortable in social situations, even with people she has known for a long time. She described having a constant inner voice that criticizes her for every mistake she makes and blames her for any negative outcome. This self-doubt has made it challenging for her to initiate any meaningful conversations or find common ground with others, even though she craves social connection.Moreover, Mary reported experiencing physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and muscle tension when she is in social situations or anticipates being in one. She also reported feeling numb and disconnected from her emotions, which prevented her from enjoying everyday activities or feeling a sense of fulfillment.Psychological AssessmentsTo understand the client's presenting symptoms, the therapist employed various psychological assessments. The therapist used the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to assess the severity of Mary's anxiety symptoms. The BAI result indicated that Mary had a moderate level of anxiety (score of 18), which is consistent with her self-reports. The therapist also used the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to evaluate Mary's level of psychological distress. The BSI result indicated that Mary had elevated scores on depression, anxiety, and social isolation subscales.DiagnosisBased on Mary's presenting symptoms, psychological history, and assessment results, the therapist formulated a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). SAD is a mental disorder characterized by persistent and intense fears of social situations that are perceived as threatening or embarrassing (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The disorder often interferes with an individual's ability to function in daily life and establish meaningful relationships.Treatment PlanThe therapist developed a treatment plan that was tailored toMary's specific needs. The therapy approach used was Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is evidence-based and has been effective in treating SAD. The therapist used various CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral experiments.Cognitive restructuring involved identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that Mary had about herself and others. The therapist taught Mary cognitive techniques to reframe negative thoughts into more realistic or positive ones.Exposure therapy involved exposing Mary to social situations that caused her anxiety in a gradual and controlled manner. The therapist guided Mary through imagining or participating in social situations while using relaxation techniques to counteract her anxiety symptoms. This approach allowed Mary to graduallyincrease her tolerance for social situations and re-evaluate her fears.Behavioral experiments involved testing Mary's beliefs about herself and others through direct experience in daily life. For instance, Mary was asked to initiate conversations with people she met daily, such as baristas, shopkeepers, or librarians, and make small talk. This approach allowed Mary to gain evidence against her negative beliefs about herself and the people around her.OutcomeMary participated in 12 sessions of CBT over the span of three months. The therapy sessions were conducted twice a week and ran for an hour each. At the end of the therapy, Mary reported significant improvement in her symptoms of anxiety and withdrawal. She reported feeling more comfortable in social situations, initiating conversations, and maintaining meaningful relationships with others. She no longer experienced severe physical symptoms of anxiety and noted that her critical inner voice had reduced significantly.ConclusionThis case report provides an example of how CBT can be used to treat a client with social anxiety disorder. The therapy approach employed in this case was tailored to the client's needs and was effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and withdrawal. The outcome of the therapy indicates that CBT can be an effective treatment approach for clients with social anxiety disorder. It is important to note that therapy outcomes are individualized andmay vary depending on each client's unique circumstances and level of engagement in therapy.In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders, particularly social anxiety disorder (SAD), among young adults. SAD affects approximately 7% of the population and often co-occurs with other mental disorders such as depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). SAD is characterized by intense fear and discomfort in social situations, leading to avoidance and withdrawal from social interactions.CBT is an effective treatment approach for SAD as it aims to address the underlying negative beliefs and thoughts that cause anxiety and prevent individuals from engaging in social situations. The therapy typically involves a combination of cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral experiments.Cognitive restructuring is an essential component of CBT for SAD as it involves identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that individuals have about themselves and others. Negative thinking patterns can be self-critical and excessively negative, leading to anxiety symptoms and avoidance behaviors. By restructuring these negative beliefs, individuals with SAD can learn to develop more balanced and positive views of themselves and their social interactions.Exposure therapy is another key component of CBT for SAD. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing the individual with SAD to social situations in a controlled and safe manner. Exposure therapy can help individuals with SAD become more comfortable in social situations, reduce their avoidance behavior, and ultimatelyhelp them to develop more fulfilling and meaningful relationships.Behavioral experiments are also a part of CBT for SAD. Behavioral experiments involve testing the individual's beliefs about themselves and others through direct experience in daily life. For instance, an individual with SAD may have a belief that they are uninteresting or have nothing to say in social situations. A behavioral experiment may involve initiating small talk with a stranger and observing their reaction. Such an experiment can provide evidence against the negative beliefs, leading to increased confidence in social situations.In summary, CBT is an effective treatment for SAD as it addresses the underlying negative beliefs and thoughts that cause anxiety and prevent individuals from engaging in social situations. CBT typically involves a combination of cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral experiments. With the help of a skilled therapist, individuals with SAD can significantly improve their symptoms of anxiety and withdrawal and develop more fulfilling and meaningful relationships.Yes, that is correct! CBT is a highly effective treatment approach for social anxiety disorder (SAD) as it addresses the underlying negative beliefs and thoughts that contribute to anxiety symptoms and avoidance behaviors. Through a combination of cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral experiments, individuals with SAD can learn to challenge their negative beliefs, become more comfortable in social situations, and develop more fulfilling relationships. With the guidance of a skilled therapist, CBT can significantly improve symptoms and help individuals with SAD lead more fulfilling lives.。
