Directions:
Read Chapter 13 on psychological disorder and consider the above questions.
Read the following case studies.
Determine the preliminary diagnoses for each client (Note: The following website may be helpful in making these determinations: https://psychcentral.com/disorders/disorders
Write an analysis for all three (3) case studies that identifies in bold at least 10 terms found in the reading (e.g., mood disorders, prognosis, co-occurrence, etc.). For each term, paraphrase its definition and explain its significance in light of one (1) or more of the case studies. Present each case separately and provide:
The client’s diagnosis
The reasoning for the diagnosis
Prevalence rates and theories on etiology pertaining to the diagnosis
d) Recommended treatment, including, but not limited to, biomedical and psychological counseling interventions
This essay should be at least three (3) pages in length and written in APA-style (i.e., double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-pt font, 1-inch margins, etc.), inclusive of APA-formatted citations and references. Three (3) outside sources are required, one of which can be the textbook and the others of which can be books, scholarly articles, lay articles and/or credible online sources credible sources. No abstract is needed, as this is a short assignment, but a cover page and reference page are required. Use of the first person is not permitted.
Case studies
1. Mayhem Matt
John is a 19-year-old male who is incarcerated for selling drugs. At the age of 15, his best friend was killed and died in his arms, according to John. This led him to think, “Forget life.’ He soon began dealing drugs and committing other non-violent crimes. In prison, John is seen by a therapist for ADHD. He also exhibits signs of hopelessness and disinterest in activities that fellow inmates enjoy, such as playing cards and exercising outside. The therapist, suspecting something might be wrong with John, in addition to his struggle with ADHD, administers the Beck Depression Inventory. While taking the inventory, John asks the therapist how she can work with rapists. John then discloses that he was raped as a young boy. John completes the inventory and writes the name, “Mayhem Matt”, on it. The therapist reviews the inventory, notices the usual signature, and inquires about it with John. John insists, “That’s not my paper.” The therapist responds, “But you just filled it out.” John says he has no recollection of this. The therapist next inquires about John’s rape disclosure, to which John replies, “I never said that”. In subsequent sessions, John asserts that he was never raped nor took the Beck Depression Inventory. John says the handwriting on the assessment is nothis. Eventually, John is referred to a psychiatrist for further evaluation; but he is released from jail before meeting with the psychiatrist. Months later, John contacts the therapist to share how well he is doing and reiterates that the two aforementioned incidents never took place.
2. Julia
Julia is a 16 year-old female who is in outpatient treatment for depressive symptoms. For approximately six months, Julia remains depressed with little improvement. For the entirety of this time, Julie participates in a weekly counseling sessions and takes daily medication. One day, Julia arrives to counseling in a “great” mood. She reports having slept with a guy she met at a party the previous night. She believes he is “the one”. Julia’s speech is rapid while expressing her excitement for the situation. This mood and energy persist for a month. Julia even shares that she feels “invincible”, like she can “accomplish anything”. Then, Julia is absent from counseling for three weeks in a row. Upon returning to counseling, she reports that the relationship ended and she felt “depressed” for a while, but, she just met a “great” new guy and actually he is “the one”. For the next four weeks, Julia parties, experiments with drugs and has unprotected sex with two more guys. Once more, she is absent from counseling for another three weeks, returning in a devastated state. The therapist contacts Julia’s psychiatrist after noticing this pattern of attendance then absence, and elation then sadness.
3. Mary
Mary is a 47-year-old woman who lives at home with her parents. She is single and does not have children. She is dissatisfied at work and “hates life” in general. Mary wants to live on her own, but fears that she will not be able to survive away from the safety of her parents. Mary reports having no social life because she gets “nervous” around people and “does not know what to say”. Mary also hates her appearance, says that she has bitten her nails down too far, and states that these things keep her from wanting to be social. At work, she has one friend with whom she has lunch. They go to the same restaurant and order the same meal multiple times per week. Mary worries about trying anything new.
During counseling, Mary’s leg shakes incessantly. Mary reports that this happens whenever she talks about herself. Anxiety also arises when Mary is in unfamiliar places. Usually, she ends up sweating profusely. Mary has recently earned a college degree but says she will remain at the job she dislikes. “It’s comfortable,” she says. “I know when to arrive, who will be there, what do to, and when to leave.” At the suggestion that she consider a new job – one that utilizes her college degree and provides a pay raise – Mary grows agitated and screams, “You don’t think I am good enough just as I am, do you!?” Next, Mary storms out the door and never returns to therapy.