Reference no: EM133668273
Fred
Fred was raised in Houston. His father and mother were both successful realtors. He is the middle of three brothers, who remain close.
He remembers, "We never wanted for anything." Fred was an A student in high school and college, and a top athlete. He completed medical school and now practices as an anesthesiologist at a local hospital.
Fred experienced some emotional distress several years ago as he considered coming out as a homosexual to his family. His father initially struggled with the news but came to accept it. Fred's father is quite amiable toward Fred's partner. Fred's eldest brother was nonplussed by the news. Fred and his partner are welcome in his brother's home. Fred's mother's response was "I don't believe it. Please never mention this again." The youngest brother accused Fred of "hurting Mom."
Fred has again been experiencing emotional distress this past year as he and his partner discuss the idea of marrying or having a commitment ceremony. Fred is certain that he wants to do this, but struggles with the question of what to tell family members and whether to even invite his mother and youngest brother.
In this context Fred complains of daily panic attacks. These generally occur when he is getting ready for work, or near the end of the workday. The panic attacks started several weeks after Fred was robbed at gunpoint at a subway station four months ago. He stated he does not think he was particularly affected by the attack, but wonders because the panic attacks started soon after. Following the attack, Fred decided he is not going to use the subway anymore because it is too dangerous. Fred has been commuting by bicycle even though it is often difficult to negotiate the city streets by bike.
Fred reports that he is not aware of any mental illness in his immediate family. He strongly suspects that his mother's father was an alcoholic, because he remembers his grandfather smelling of alcohol during Fred's childhood, and because his mother refuses to have any alcohol in her home.