Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Patients with Anxiety Disorders: A Case Series
Mr. RA, a 24-year-old unmarried male, pursuing his Master's degree, presented with complaints of headache, feeling tensed and anxious, and worried about his future, examinations, and family, which were pervasive in nature. He was apparently doing well till 1999. He was doing his under graduation at that time, when he became tense about his examinations. He wanted to do well, due to which he experienced headaches with vomiting. He was advised to take tranquilizers by his family doctor for 10-15 days. Thereafter, he became better and completed his internship. After this, his headaches worsened and would last the whole day. He would be extremely distressed due to the headaches. He frequently worried about his future, what he would do for his career. He would worry about any misfortune befalling his family whenever he read about disasters in the newspapers. Mr. RA felt he should always be the best in whatever he did. He was very stressed for the same reason at his work. He worked for two years and later joined his Master's course. He felt more tensed, as he believed that other classmates were better off than him in studies. He set high standards for himself regarding his work performance, especially with regard to the progress of his patients. He preferred not to spend any leisure time and pressurized himself to spend as much time studying. He would rush through all activities and would be hasty about his work. He felt tensed and anxious most of time and had significant physiological arousal. His past history was not significant. Personal history revealed that the client was prone to worry with regard to his studies. He was concerned with securing good grades and had excelled in academics. Premorbidly, the patient was reportedly anxious by nature and tended to hurry through any work, to ensure that he completed it on time. Mr. RA was referred for the management of his perfectionistic thinking and anxiety.