Applicability of Cognitive Behavioural and Schema Therapy in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Single Case Study

Abstract

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is an anxiety driven condition in which exaggerated bouts of uncontrollable anxiety takes over the quality of everyday activities regulating personal, social and occupational life. This disorder is characterized by irrational thoughts and a fear of these thoughts coming to life. The coping generally consists of safety behaviours to minimize the tendency of these thoughts coming to life. This paper includes the case of Ms. Chandani (named changed due to confidentiality), a 27years old female who came to Civil Hospital, Gurgaon with the clinical symptoms of Generalized Anxiety disorder. Assessments conducted on the patient included Sack’s sentence completion test, Rorschach Inkblot Test and Generalized Anxiety Scale-7. The therapeutic management included Cognitive Behavioural therapy along with Schema Therapy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helped in cognitive restructuring and anxiety reduction through behavioural techniques. Schema Therapy was able to support in emotional reparenting through the usage of experiential techniques. This paper highlights how effective and efficient an eclectic approach circling around cognitive behaviour therapy and schema therapy has been in reducing symptom intensity along with resolution of Past trauma.