Attachment disorders in adults, panic and agoraphobia: Case Study

By: Daniel R. Gaita, MA

Summary
This reading was an informative and concise case presentation of Mrs. R., a
married woman with two children and a supportive husband that was presenting
symptoms of anxiety and agoraphobia.
Upon assessment, it was determined that her exhibiting symptomology was
the result of an ambivalent attachment to her recently deceased mother, and pending
death of her sick father. Most likely caused by the unresolved loss of her
grandmother, at age 7, in whose bed she slept. It is thought that the grandmother, not
the mother, may have been her primary attachment figure.
It is also surmised by the therapist that Mrs. Rs inability to grieve for the loss
of her grandmother due to the family dynamic that such discussion was taboo
coupled with the mothers inability to send her of to pre-school resulted in her
inability to process and transition from the loss at an earlier age.
Inpatient and outpatient care was implemented over a 3-year period, which
reduced the severity of symptoms and resulted in Mrs Rs eventual life recalibration
with her family.
Response
This was a very helpful case study overview that will be of great value as I
move forward in the mental health area as a Social Worker. It was interesting to
garner some insight on the process of attachment based on various family dynamics.
Especially those involving multi-generational care takers in the same household, and

sharing the same bed.

Reference
Brisch, K. (2012). Attachment disorders in adults, panic and agoraphobia. In Treating
attachment disorders from theory to therapy (pp. 219228). New York, NY: Guilford
Press. (Do the reading card on this reading.)