Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Patients with Anxiety Disorders: A Case Series
Mr. S, was a 34-year-old married male, a postgraduate, and was employed at the time of recruitment to the study. His chief complaints were those of continuous brooding and worries over matters related to the past and career, feeling inferior, anxious, and nervous, and he had palpitations since the last eight years, with an increase since two years. He was apparently doing well eight years back. He moved to Bangalore city after completing his graduation, to pursue a higher degree and was working to support his education. He found himself committing minor mistakes at work, for which his employer chided him. This made him feel inadequate and inferior to his colleagues and he would constantly compare himself to his friends. He was reluctant to approach his employer to ask for help and was apprehensive that his mistakes would be pointed in the presence of clients. Meanwhile, the client failed in his examination, which led to a sad mood and increased inferiority. He gradually began avoiding his friends. In addition, he felt very insecure about his job and began to worry about his career and future. He then resigned and subsequently changed jobs twice. Mr. S considered his life to be a complete waste, and felt like a failure and blamed himself for being a burden. He frequently experienced physical problems such as abdominal pain and digestive problems.\nHe reported a mild depressive episode 12 years back, with spontaneous remission. It was precipitated by a fight with his father. He shares a warm, close relationship with his wife. The patient is the first of the two siblings, born of a non-consanguineous union, and his father was very authoritative and strict. He reports that he never received emotional or financial support from his father in whatever he wanted to do in life, and therefore, had to be self-reliant. Mr. S was referred for the management of his anxiety symptoms.