CBT for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Study

ABSTRACTObjectives To examine the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in a case of co-occurring generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods This case study refers to a male aged 75 years with a diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson's disease. It focuses on applying a CBT model to address the psychological difficulties with PD and GAD.Results This case study reveals key aspects in presentation, diagnosis, and psychological treatment between PD and GAD, and is one of few studies published in this area.Conclusions Symptoms of anxiety in an older adult with PD decreased during a course of CBT. The implications of the treatment outcome of this study and further considerations of treatment plans for comorbid PD and anxiety have been discussed.Clinical Implications Using CBT could positively impact non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's, such as sleep difficulties and speech impediments. Using CBT for the catastrophic thinking and worry content in GAD seems to act as a complementary therapy for psychological/non-motor symptoms of PD.KEYWORDS: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)comorbidityGeneralised anxiety disorder (GAD)Parkinson'sdisease (PD) Clinical implicationsUsing CBT to address anxiety (GAD) in older adults with PD may be an effective means to reduce symptoms of anxiety.Using CBT could positively impact NMS, such as sleep difficulties and speech impediments.Using CBT for the catastrophic thinking and worry content in GAD seems to act as a complementary therapy for psychological/non-motor symptoms of PD.List of abbreviationsCBT – Cognitive behavioral therapy – a form of psychological therapy used to support with understanding the interactions between thoughts, feelings and behaviors.GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder – a mental health difficulty characterized by high levels of worries which are upsetting, feel uncontrollable and have been impacting one's day to day life for six months or more.PD – Parkinson's Disease – a chronic and progressive movement disorder characterized by rigidity or stiffness, slowing of movement and tremors. This condition has both motor (symptoms that affect movement) and non-motor symptoms (symptoms that do not affect movement).PwP – People with Parkinson's – an abbreviated form of "People with Parkinson's" is pwPNMS – Non- Motor Symptoms – Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's do not affect movement for example, mental health related difficulties, cognitive changes, pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThe author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.