Hi! Below is the case study and I want to make sure I\'m on the right track. I b

Question

Hi! Below is the case study and I want to make sure I'm on the right track. I bolded the questions I'm interested in (1-7). Looking for people who are familiar with the DSM-5/abnormal psychology and able to answer all questions completely. Thank you so much for your time and work!!

Questions:

1. Diagnosis; what is the evidence for it? Hint it's not a personality disorder!

2. Treatment; typical treatment used for this diagnosis AND most effective treatment. IF the person is in treatment, what should we target first in terms of symptoms? How likely are they to stay in treatment and how likely are they to recover? Are meds involved and if so, what broad “type” of meds work for this disorder?

3. Differential diagnosis (why is it this disorder and not this disorder). Specifically, why it is NOT some other diagnosis (such as a brief reactive psychosis or delusional disorder)?

4. Does the person have more than one diagnosis, what would DSM say about the criteria for diagnosing that? What co-morbid disorder he might have and what that means for his diagnosis

5. What would the primary causal theories be?

6. What type of hallucinations is he having? What are his positive and what are his negative symptoms?

7. What is the neurobiology and neurochemistry of his particular disorder?

CASE STUDY BELOW:

John is a 20 year old college student who is not doing well at all. John was a normal young man until recently with no medical issues or traumas. He has a lot of stress at college, but no more than most people and he uses some alcohol and marijuana, but not to excess. His parents are healthy and his college is paid for, so he does not have any significant outside stressors. He has always been very involved in church and volunteer work and is very devoted to his studies. Recently John’s family and friends have become quite concerned about him as he has recently become quite obsessed with his religious beliefs and he is constantly talking about the devil. He believes that the devil has been talking to him and telling him to do bad things. He has called his pastor and the police numerous times asking for their help in combating the devil’s hold on him. He believes that his left hand has been taken over by the devil and he cannot control what that hand does, so he has chosen to wrap it in an ace bandage to try to control it. He believes that he has been chosen by God to spread peace on earth and cure all of society’s ills, and he is also quite concerned about fighting some “great conspiracy” but he is unclear as to what that conspiracy is. He believes that the radio is talking to him telling him what God wants him to know. When he speaks it is difficult to understand him, as his speech patterns are often quite random. John also has very flat emotions and his voice can be quite monotone. He does not speak much anymore and he has removed himself from almost all of his activities. He has no motivation to attend his classes and just wanders around campus or lays on his couch most of the time.

Explanation / Answer

1. Diagnosis; what is the evidence for it? Hint it's not a personality disorder!

John is most likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Some of John’s symptoms that meet the DSM-5 criteria for the diagnosis include: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, flat affect, and poor interpersonal relationships.

2. Treatment; typical treatment used for this diagnosis AND most effective treatment. IF the person is in treatment, what should we target first in terms of symptoms? How likely are they to stay in treatment and how likely are they to recover? Are meds involved and if so, what broad “type” of meds work for this disorder?

Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition and medication would be the first line of treatment. In John’s case he would be put on antipsychotic medication to treat his hallucinations and delusions. Antipsychotics act on the neurotransmitter, dopamine and help control the symptoms. John would be required to take the medication even when his symptoms have subsided.

Once the symptoms are under control, psychotherapy would be the next line of treatment. Treatment for schizophrenia is only effective if the individual takes their medication regularly and attends therapy.

3. Differential diagnosis (why is it this disorder and not this disorder). Specifically, why it is NOT some other diagnosis (such as a brief reactive psychosis or delusional disorder)?

John also meets the criteria for bipolar disorder with psychosis. Bipolar disorder with psychosis also presents with the symptoms similar to schizophrenia, but the psychotic symptoms appear after a manic episode.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse H
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.