Benefits of Combined Psychological and Medical Therapy for Treating an Individual With Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

A patient who complained of mistaking objects in his peripheral visual field for a dog was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He also had poor nutrition, sleep problems, somatic features, drank a considerable amount of alcohol, and exercised little. As patients with these difficulties often benefit from psychological as well as medical intervention strategies, a physician and a psychologist interviewed the patient together and developed a coordinated treatment plan. The psychologist was to work with the patient on behavioral aspects of these difficulties, although the physician treated the patient with medication. Both professionals evaluated the patient’s response to medical as well as psychological treatment strategies and reinforced the other professional’s therapeutic activities. The patient improved significantly from the combined treatment program. Although it cannot be determined, it is likely that he would not have improved as much if his treatment program had not involved both the psychologist and the physician.