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Severe growing-up phobia, a condition explained in a 14-year-old boy
Laurencia Perales-Blum1, Myrthala Juárez-Treviño1, Daniela Escobedo-Belloc1
1Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco I. Madero Avenue W and Gonzalitos Avenue, 64460 Monterrey, NL, Mexico.
Case Reports in Psychiatry
|January 23, 2015
Summary
This case study details a 14-year-old boy with gerascophobia (fear of aging), who experienced distress from body development. Treatment with psychotherapy and fluoxetine showed positive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Gerascophobia, or excessive fear of aging, is rare in adolescents.
- The case involves a 14-year-old boy with a history of separation anxiety, sexual abuse, and bullying.
- The patient exhibited anxiety, depression, body image issues, and fear of maturation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a clinical case of adolescent gerascophobia.
- To explore the interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a combined treatment approach.
Main Methods:
- Clinical case presentation.
- Analysis of contributing factors: biological, psychological, and environmental.
- Treatment intervention using psychotherapy and fluoxetine.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced significant distress related to body development and aging.
- Combined psychotherapy and fluoxetine treatment led to favorable clinical results.
- The patient's anxious and depressive symptoms, food restriction, and body image concerns improved.
Conclusions:
- A combined approach of psychotherapy and fluoxetine may be effective for adolescent gerascophobia.
- Addressing psychological and environmental factors is crucial in treating such cases.
- This case highlights the importance of early intervention for adolescent anxiety disorders.
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