Kerry is a very quiet little girl and a C student. Kerry’s thoughts often drift
ID: 3499401 • Letter: K
Question
Kerry is a very quiet little girl and a C student. Kerry’s thoughts often drift away from the task at hand, and her teacher feels that Kerry is probably a slower learner who is readily overwhelmed by task demands. On occasion, Kerry complains of stomachaches and headaches, and she misses about four days of school per month because she is not feeling well.
Robby is in Kerry’s class, but unlike Kerry, Robby is a disruptive force in the class. Robby is also a C student, but his teacher feels that he would get better grades if he would just focus on his work. Robby can be bossy and often interrupts class lessons and routines. When the teacher is asked to bring children’s names for discussion to the next team meeting, she immediately thinks of Robby and two other boys who are disruptive and disturbing. Kerry’s name does not come to mind.
Two years later, Kerry is referred to the school psychologist because she is in danger of failing the fifth grade. An assessment at that time reveals that Kerry is actually a bright girl who is overwhelmed by worries, fears, and her own feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, Kerry has developed several avoidance behaviors to deal with her growing anxiety and depression, resulting in increased fears, somatic complaints, and frequent absenteeism.
What are some of the possible symptoms and features that you might identify for Kerry from the textbook case presented? Discuss the possible diagnosis and intervention you would recommend. Identify two assessment needs of how you might address the adults in this case.
Explanation / Answer
Symptoms presented in the text book case are the following.
1. Overwhelming worries
2. Increased fears
3. Somatic complaints like headaches and stomachaches.
4. Growing anxiety and depression
5. Avoidance behaviours, feelings of inadequacy and frequent absenteeism
6. Poor academic performance
And possible symptoms duration of two years.
Provitional diagnosis : Generalized anxiety disorder (?) F 41.1 (ICD)
Differential diagnosis 1.Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder F41.2 ( in the text book severity of depression is not mentioned )
2. Childhood emotional disorder , unspecified F93. 9
Possible intervention :
Depending on the severity of fears and anxiety , specific techniques of desensitization and relaxation may be employed. However, as an intervention, play therapy is suggested (which is more appropriate at this age) together with parental counseling .
Two assessment needs of adults in this case are :
1. Assessment for family pathology, child neglect or abuse
2 . Parenting style.
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