Laura Case Study

nit 3 Case Studies  Laura Laura is a 55-year-old Latina who is a former nurse. She has been married for 35 years to Raymond, who is 63. Raymond, who is also Latino, is a practicing physician who is nearing retirement. Laura met Raymond at a hospital when both were in training for their medical careers. They dated for less than a year and married when Laura was 20 years old. She continued to work as a nurse after graduation until their first child, a daughter, was born and Laura and Raymond agreed she should stay home to care for their child. Their son was born two years later. Laura did not return to her career as a nurse, and remained a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. Throughout the years, Laura and Raymond frequently socialized with other couples, although Laura did not form individual friendships with other women, stating she “just isn’t comfortable” with most women. Laura was an avid reader and an artist, and tended to enjoy quiet, solitary pursuits rather than joining group activities, so she resisted Raymond’s suggestions that she join women’s philanthropic groups or participate in volunteer activities. Laura and Raymond spent weekends with their children when Raymond was not working, and they always took family summer vacations and spent time on family activities. Laura’s parents  live nearby and were very involved in the family activities as well. Laura is an only child. The family always considered themselves to be closely knit. Laura is in generally good health. Although she smoked cigarettes for 30 years, she quit seven years ago. She consumes alcohol daily and does not take any regular medications. She is sedentary and has gained 30 pounds over the past 15 years. Raymond does not smoke but he joins Laura in a nightly cocktail after work. He does not formally exercise but is on his feet most of the day at work. His weight is the same as it was when he was 25 years old. Raymond had prostate cancer five years ago; surgery and radiation treatments seem to have cured his cancer.  Laura’s children are now adults. Both completed college, found successful careers, and married. Laura’s daughter has recently given birth to her first child, a son.   In the past year, Laura has started to worry about her loved ones’ safety and well-being. She frequently becomes preoccupied with thoughts of injury or illness that could harm Raymond, her daughter or son, and now her infant grandson. Laura is unable to calm these fears or put them out of her mind. She often has trouble falling asleep because she “can’t shut down” her mind, and she wakes up in the middle of the night fearing something has happened to one of her loved ones. She is often fatigued during the day and is notably irritable. Lately, Laura has been calling her husband, daughter, and son several times a day, including when they are at work and cannot take her calls. She implores them to “be safe.” She has asked them not to drive or participate in social activities because they might have an accident or be infected with a disease by someone with whom they socialize. She is especially concerned that her infant grandson might contract a disease and die. She insists that her daughter not take the baby out or allow visitors. She has been known to drive to her daughter’s house at night to check whether the family is home, and if they have guests. Laura’s family members are beginning to be annoyed with her “meddling” behaviors and no amount of logical discussion seems to convince her that her fears are ungrounded. For this reason, her family is becoming upset with her and starting to avoid her.