6.7 Follow-up on Earl Campbell

The most appropriate diagnoses for Campbell appears to be both panic disorder and agoraphobia. Despite using medication, Campbell continues to have some panic symptoms, but he makes good use of cognitive and behavioral methods and of social support. He acknowledged his continuing efforts: “Even though crowds and noise bother me, I’ll push myself to tolerate them for as long as I can. I know I must keep trying to get past the fear. It takes far more discipline for me to get through an average day with panic than it took for me to perform as a top running back in the NFL. The challenges of panic are greater” (Campbell & Ruane, 1999, p. 199).

192