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Pages:
2 pages/≈550 words
Sources:
2 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Psychology
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 20.88
Topic:

Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders

Essay Instructions:

Instructions: In each case read the case carefully and note the patient's symptoms, their signs (observable behavior) and their history. Then align each symptom, behavior, etc. with the actual criteria in the DSM. Make sure you indicate in your write-up how each piece of information in the case is an example of the criteria in the DSM so that you can justify your diagnosis. The next section will require you to offer "rule out" diagnoses. These are possible diagnoses that "could" be true, but after careful analysis do not meet ALL OF THE CRITERIA necessary to make that diagnosis. A medical example: a patient complains of a severe headache, stiff neck and a high temperature. You may suspect meningitis....that would be a "rule out" that requires further investigation. Clearly, it is a possible diagnosis, but when a spinal tap is done, it is negative, and meningitis is "ruled out." It was the flu! When you give me two rule outs for the case make sure each one is plausible. For instance, if your final diagnosis turns out to be schizophrenia, a rule out of a phobia for elevators is not even close to the symptoms of schizophrenia and would never be a possibility. You must describe why each of your rule outs DO NOT describe the patient by noting the DSM criteria that are not met. As you read about disorders you will see that there are clusters of somewhat similar disorders that can be differentiated from one another. Finally, you will be asked to discuss treatment options for your diagnoses and the prognosis for the patient, that is what is the likely outcome and possibility for improvement or deterioration. Remember, all reports must be at least 1 full page, single spaced 12-point font.
Make sure you read the case study info below very carefully. Most critical is that you line up each symptom, complaint, sign, and history with the exact criteria in the DSM 5 that will justify your diagnosis. Do not generalize, but do a criteria by criteria justification. For instance, Mr. Q complains of feelings of tiredness and not getting pleasure out of his usual hobbies (Dx criteria that aligns are" fatigue and anhedonia" to help justify a dx of Major Depression). You are also required to rule out diagnoses that "could "be possible but not all necessary criteria. are met. List all criteria that are Not met. Notice that many diagnoses in a chapter are somewhat similar but have significant differences. This exercise is called "differential Diagnosis" for that reason.
Case Study
Assignment 10: Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
Mr. Fife
Mr. Fife is a 25-year-old single man living with his mother and working at the post office where he has been employed since he dropped out of college after 2 years. He complains of “nervousness” and says he is “just going through the motions” and “wants to lead a normal life and return to college.”
During his adolescence and young adulthood he had no close friends, but formed several close relationships in college. However, he states he became “super self-conscious” when speaking to strangers and classmates, feel nervous and had difficulty speaking. He had a “buzzing” in his head, felt like he was “outside his body,” had hot flashes and perspired. He called these experiences “panic attacks” that came on suddenly when he was with people. He became increasingly uncomfortable in social situations and was “afraid of doing something stupid.” He finally dropped out of school.
Mr. Fife feels that at the post office he does not have to deal with people. He avoids public restrooms and uses a stall rather than a urinal. He has 2 best friends but does not date and avoids group settings. He has no problems with authority figures
Questions:
What is his diagnosis?
What are the symptoms that helped you make this diagnosis? What diagnostic criteria do they relate to?
What are two other possible diagnoses and why did you not choose them?
How would you help Mr. Fife?
What is his prognosis?

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Social Anxiety Disorder
Student’s Name
Institution
Social Anxiety Disorder
Mr. Fife is 25 years of age, single living with his mother and works in a post office after dropping out of college. He complains of nervousness and ‘going through motions.’ He has difficulties speaking to strangers and classmates he became ‘super self-conscious,’ felt nervous and difficulty speaking. He experiences panic attacks when with people, becomes increasingly uncomfortable in social situations and is afraid of doing something stupid. At the workplace, he avoids public restrooms. He is not dating and avoids group settings.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis for Mr. Fife is social anxiety disorder. DSM-5 defines social anxiety disorder as a persistent “A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others. The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be embarrassing and humiliating” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). People with social anxiety disorder are aware that their anxiety is irrational, but thoughts and feelings of anxiety persist.
Differential Diagnosis
There are three possible diagnoses for Mr. Fife: Social anxiety disorder, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The first diagnosis is social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia. Mr. Fife has symptoms of social anxiety disorders which include physical symptoms (rapid heartbeat and excessive sweating), emotional symptoms (nervousness) and behavioral symptoms (avoidance). The DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing social anxiety states that exposure to the feared situation provokes anxiety usually in the form of panic attacks; such as the ones experienced by Mr. Fife (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). His panic attacks are characterized by buzzing in his head, feeling like he was outside his body, having hot flashes and sweating. Mr. Fife avoids the feared situation which he would else endure with intense anxiety and distress. At the workplace, he avoids public restrooms and uses a stall rather than a urinal and avoids group settings. The avoidance of the feared social or performance situations interferes significantly with Mr. Fife’s academic functioning, social activities, and relationships (Stein & Stein, 2008). It caused him to drop out of college; he avoids group settings, is single and not interested in dating, and feels he wants to lead a normal life and return to college. His avoidance is persistent lasting for more than six months. He had no close friends during his adolescence and young adulthood and only formed several close relationships in college. Mr. Fife’s avoidance is not as a result of the psychological effects of substance abuse, medication or a general condition associated with another mental disorder.
The second possible diagnosis is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Mr. Fife persistent anxiety can be associated with GAD. People with GAD have excessive anxiety or worry for at least six months about a variety of things such as personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday life circumstances. The fear and anxiety interfere with area...
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