Diagnose the following patient. Make sure to provide evidenc…
Diagnose the following patient. Make sure to provide evidence as to why you feel they have that disorder. Also, include a treatment plan. Alex, a 22-year-old junior psychology major, has been living in a campus dorm while taking a heavier course load this semester. Over the past eight months, Alex has experienced pervasive, often excessive worry about many areas of life: grades, finances, family health, future career prospects, and even routine daily tasks. The worrying is difficult to control and occurs most days, with peak intensity in the evenings before classes and during study periods. Alex reports and cognitive symptoms that accompany the worry: muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating in lectures. Sleep has become inconsistent — taking longer to fall asleep and waking multiple times during the night. Even when there is no immediate threat, Alex’s mind keeps racing with worst-case scenarios and “what if” thoughts. The worries interfere with academics (missed deadlines, reduced study efficiency), campus involvement (skipping club meetings), and relationships (tension with roommates and friends due to irritability and seeking constant reassurance). Alex does not report panic attacks, major depressive episodes, or substance use that could explain the symptoms. There is no history of trauma or medical illness that could account for the anxiety. Family history is notable for a parent with chronic worry, but Alex has always been relatively high-functioning before this period.