PD.2: Case Study – Explaining the Diathesis-Stress Model: Emma’s Story

Approximate reading time: 2 minutes

Emma, a 25-year-old graphic designer, has always been a bit more anxious than her peers, a trait she recognizes in her mother as well. This underlying anxiety, or diathesis, made her more sensitive to stress. Despite this, she managed well until a series of stressful events unfolded over a short period. Emma went through a difficult breakup, faced a sudden layoff from her job, and then experienced the loss of a close family member.

These events, acting as significant stress factors, intensified her anxiety to levels she had never experienced before. She found herself unable to cope with daily tasks, withdrawing from social activities, and struggling with constant worry and panic attacks. Emma’s story illustrates the diathesis-stress model (Zuckerman, 1999), showing how her predisposition to anxiety combined with acute life stressors led to the development of a more severe anxiety disorder. Her case underscores the importance of understanding both the biological and environmental contributions to psychological disorders.