46 Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Name: Piglet
Source: The World of Pooh by A.A. Milne (books, 1954)
Background Information
Piglet is a young male pig and Winnie the Pooh’s friend. Since he is portrayed as a baby, he is probably in the age range of 0-3 years old. Piglet does not have a job and his family history is unknown. He does not have any physical health problems but he displays characteristics of anxiety and nervousness. He stutters quite a bit and he is fearful of wind and darkness. Piglet also does not like bees or woozles (which are creatures that Piglet has not yet seen). Piglet lives in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh and all of the other Winnie The Pooh characters. He lives in a house in a large beech tree with a sign outside that says “Tresspassers W” which to Piglet means his Grandfather lived there and his name was “Tresspassers William”. Piglet’s goals are to become brave, not so timid, and to catch a heffalump (a creature that resembles an elephant).
Description of the Problem
Piglet is a very timid piglet. He shows characteristics of anxiety and he stutters. He thinks of how any situation can go wrong and he argues with himself about what he should do if a situation does go wrong. For example, while trying to catch a heffalump, Piglet thinks to himself how he can fake a headache so he will not have to face one of these creatures, in case it is fierce. Then he thinks to himself that if he fakes a headache he will be stuck in bed all morning, so he does not know what to do. These are the types of scenarios that make him anxious. He has thoughts that he creates that jump from one bad scenario to another. Piglet also shakes and blushes. His ears twitch when he is scared or nervous, which is often. He is usually very flustered.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis that would best fit Piglet is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (300.02).
- In children, to be diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, only one of these symptoms must be present:
(1)Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
(2) Being easily fatigued
(3) Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
(4) Irritability
(5) Muscle tension
(6) Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)
Piglet definitely shows signs of restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge. He also has difficulty concentrating (his thoughts jump from one bad scenario to another).
- Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days for at least six months about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
Piglet has had anxiety problems his whole life as far as we know from the books. He definitely has probably had anxiety problems for more than six months.
- The person finds it difficult to control their worry.
Piglet cannot control his worry which is why he struggles with trying to be brave. He manages to live with his worry and anxiety but the thoughts are still there and he voices his worry to his friends.
- An unrealisti