DSM-5 Case on Separation Anxiety Disorder

1. Presenting problem (20%)

○     Describe your client's presenting concerns (level of distress, specific symptoms, etc.). In other words, explain why your client came to your office (i.e., their presenting problems).

○     Give a brief history of the presenting concerns (problems). For example, how has the problem changed over time? How long has the person dealt with this issue?

○     Describe the person's general history (e.g., developmental, family, social, and work).

○     Diagnosis: Explain how your client meets the criteria for a specific disorder in the DSM-5. You should systematically take me through the criteria, explaining which criteria are met and which are not. Also, you want to explain why you chose this diagnosis instead of another one (i.e., differential diagnosis). For example, why did you choose Major Depressive Disorder instead of Persistent Depressive Disorder?

1. Other factors (20%)

○     Discuss factors that may have influenced the presenting concern and treatment. Factors include culture, race, religion, age, and gender. You may discuss other factors as well.

○     Make sure to explain how these factors specifically impact presenting concerns and treatment and cite relevant research.

1. Case conceptualization (20%)

○     Use at least two different theories (paradigms) to explain why your client is experiencing the trouble that they are experiencing. You can use paradigms that we discussed in class or ones you have learned about in other courses (e.g., psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioral, behavioral, biological, etc.). If you are struggling to remember what paradigms are, check out Lesson 2 and your assignment for that week!

○     You should specifically explain these theories and cite relevant research. 

1. Course of treatment (20%)

○     Choose an intervention (or more than one if you like—but not more than two). Why this treatment? It is empirically support, well researched?

○     Discuss the course of treatment for your client. Be realistic. What went well? What went poorly? What is the client still working on?

○     Make sure to cite research to support your choice of treatment.

1. Include relevant and specific references (use APA format—see below for more detail) (20%).

○     Use APA format correctly for in-text citations.

○     Use APA format correctly for the reference section.

○     Use appropriate and specific references (e.g., course text, DSM-5, research articles).

○     Avoid web pages with generic information meant for the general public.

While you may cite from the course text and the DSM-5, they are not intended to be the principal research tools for you to use. I expect you to utilize additional scholarly resources (e.g., book chapters, peer referenced journal articles, etc.). I do not want you to use general online resources, such as Wikipedia and the like. The case study should be written in APA format. If you don’t know what this is, look it up or email me.

Have fun with this exam/paper/project! It is intended to synthesize the information that we have covered and allow you to examine a particular disorder of interest in more breadth and depth. The paper should be a minimum of 8 pages of text and a maximum of 12 pages of text, not including references, tables, and so on. Times New Roman, 12 point should be used. Not adhering to these guidelines will result in a reduction of your grade.