What kind of diagnosis in a case of mobbing: post-traumatic stress disorder or adjustment disorder?

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jun 11:2013:bcr2013010080. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-010080.

Abstract

Over the last decade a consistent increase in stress-related psychological consequences at the workplace, usually called 'mobbing', has been seen. It claimed physical, psychical and social distress as its victims, leading to an increased incidence of many illnesses, such as psychosomatic disorders (ache, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue and insomnia) and psychiatric disturbances (high level of anxiety, depression and suicidal attempts). It was recently demonstrated that mobbing is significantly widespread among healthcare workers, especially among female nurses. In this report, we illustrate the case of a nurse who, after a brilliant career, underwent mobbing at the workplace, showing depression, anxiety and sleep disorders that required hospitalisation and a substantial intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adjustment Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Adjustment Disorders / drug therapy
  • Alprazolam / administration & dosage
  • Alprazolam / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Crowding / psychology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Paroxetine / administration & dosage
  • Paroxetine / therapeutic use
  • Pregabalin
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / drug therapy
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / administration & dosage
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Paroxetine
  • Pregabalin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Alprazolam