Hypochondriac Case Study
Case Study #1 Analysis
Case Study #1
Dave woke up early one April morning feeling good. While eating his usual breakfast he noticed in the newspaper that a run was being held on Memorial Day to raise money for a charity. Although he hadn't run much in two years, he decided that he would participate in the event and that he would begin training for it that very morning. Dave felt really winded after three miles, but pushed himself to run two more. When he got home, he was sweating profusely, his heart was pounding, and his legs felt shaky and slightly numb. Fearing that he was having a heart attack, Dave began to hyperventilate and had a panic attack that lasted for approximately 20 minutes. Dave went to his doctor and was assured that his heart was very healthy. Two weeks later, he went to a new restaurant with a friend. They both ordered extra spicy dinners. Midway through the meal, Dave and his friend both complained of stomach pain and nausea. Dave become increasingly upset and told his friend that he had to leave right away because he was certain a panic attack was imminent.
Briefly describe how Dave's escalating anxiety and panic can be explained by the cognitive perspective of panic disorders. What are some of the factors that may be related to why some people are more prone to misinterpret bodily sensations than others? What is anxiety sensitivity, and how is it related to panic disorders?
Dave is used to how he normally feels on any given day. He is used to the body signals and sensations he receives from everyday life. It is noted that he has not run in two years. That being said, his body would be out of the normal shape a runner’s body would be in. When he made the decision to begin training for a long run immediately that morning, without starting with slower exercises to get himself back in shape, he overexerted himself. Since he may or may not have felt these symptoms of overexertion in several years, he misinterpreted those body
Case Study #1
Dave woke up early one April morning feeling good. While eating his usual breakfast he noticed in the newspaper that a run was being held on Memorial Day to raise money for a charity. Although he hadn't run much in two years, he decided that he would participate in the event and that he would begin training for it that very morning. Dave felt really winded after three miles, but pushed himself to run two more. When he got home, he was sweating profusely, his heart was pounding, and his legs felt shaky and slightly numb. Fearing that he was having a heart attack, Dave began to hyperventilate and had a panic attack that lasted for approximately 20 minutes. Dave went to his doctor and was assured that his heart was very healthy. Two weeks later, he went to a new restaurant with a friend. They both ordered extra spicy dinners. Midway through the meal, Dave and his friend both complained of stomach pain and nausea. Dave become increasingly upset and told his friend that he had to leave right away because he was certain a panic attack was imminent.
Briefly describe how Dave's escalating anxiety and panic can be explained by the cognitive perspective of panic disorders. What are some of the factors that may be related to why some people are more prone to misinterpret bodily sensations than others? What is anxiety sensitivity, and how is it related to panic disorders?
Dave is used to how he normally feels on any given day. He is used to the body signals and sensations he receives from everyday life. It is noted that he has not run in two years. That being said, his body would be out of the normal shape a runner’s body would be in. When he made the decision to begin training for a long run immediately that morning, without starting with slower exercises to get himself back in shape, he overexerted himself. Since he may or may not have felt these symptoms of overexertion in several years, he misinterpreted those body