Objectives: 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); Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD); Parkinson’sdisease (PD); comorbidity.