Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Case Report with Pharmacotherapeutic Approach

Abstract

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a debilitating mental disorder that is defined by incessant, excessive worry and autonomic symptoms, which markedly affect the daily functioning. The current case report will detail the clinical presentation and treatment of a 22-year-old female patient who presented herself with a three-month history of uncontrollable anxiety, palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia. Initial physical assessment showed slight tachycardia (102 bpm) but the rest of the vital signs and systemic examinations were normal. The patient was treated to an individualized pharmacological regimen, comprising of the use of Sertraline (50 mg) as a first-line Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) to maintain the secondary psychiatric diagnosis of long-term stabilization and Clonazepam (0.25mg) as the initial symptomatic agent to manage the acute restlessness and sleep disturbance. As the supportive care, vitamin supplementation and gastrointestinal prophylaxis were given. Throughout the six days of observation, the patient exhibited a lot of clinical improvement as the heart rate returned to normal (88 bpm) and was less anxious. This case highlights the significance of multidisciplinary approach, which incorporates early pharmacological response, elimination of organic pathology by laboratory testing, and active clinical observation to attain the maximum therapeutic effect and enhanced living conditions of people with GAD.