PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM:
Diagnosing Using the DSM
The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases) is a valuable resource used by psychologists, psychiatrists, and healthcare professionals to diagnose mental diseases. It gives detailed descriptions, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for many mental diseases in persons. The DSM also provides statistics on the incidence of illnesses by gender, the average age of onset, and popular treatment modalities. The DSM has been updated numerous times to reflect advances in understanding and diagnosing mental health problems (Stein et al., 2022). It is regarded as the basic reference for mental disease, containing all recognized disorders, as well as their symptoms and current treatment regimens.
When diagnosing a patient, practitioners use the appropriate portions of the DSM to match symptoms and behaviors to established diagnostic criteria. However, not every case fits neatly into a single diagnosis, and it is usual to come across instances with several diagnoses or comorbidities, reflecting the complexity and variety of mental health presentations.
Related Assessments:
Case Study Analysis: Jenny
Jenny is 35 years old and from a middle-class family. Her mother was an alcoholic, and her father was frequently absent owing to his busy job. Jenny is the middle sibling of three sisters. She works as an accountant, which involves precise attention to detail, and she excels at it by focusing and double-checking her work.
Jenny has never been married, but she has been in serious romantic relationships. Her most recent relationship ended because her boyfriend refused to marry, and she gave him an ultimatum that led to the breakup. Jenny also revealed that she had been abused by a babysitter when she was eight years old, and her parents dismissed the issue by simply firing the babysitter without addressing the trauma.
Jenny has struggled with insomnia, exhaustion, and a lack of motivation for several weeks. She has also lost interest in activities she once enjoyed and has had problems concentrating at work. Jenny was sent to a therapist by her doctor and reported her recent weight loss caused by a lack of appetite, which is another symptom she has been experiencing.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
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Diagnosis
Jenny seems to notice that her symptoms are beginning to accumulate and becoming problematic in her daily life. She is unable to appreciate things that used to make her happy, and her obligations and work have become a burden. Jenny exhibits symptoms consistent with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), according to the DSM-5. Childhood sexual assault, her mother’s drinking, and her father’s absence all had a role in her diagnosis. Her symptoms of sleeplessness, loss of appetite, lack of ambition, disinterest in fun activities, and difficulty focusing are all signs of MDD.
Jenny could be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as MDD as a result of her previous experience. However, without more information, we are unable to confirm that at this time. Risk factors for MDD include both genetic and physiological components, and while hypomania may or may not be connected with the condition, Jenny does not exhibit mania symptoms, ruling out a bipolar diagnosis at this time (Yang et al., 2023).
Jenny’s therapist may recommend a mix of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address her negative thought patterns and medicines to control her depression symptoms. Additional evaluation may be required to completely evaluate her condition and handle any relevant comorbidities.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
Case Study Analysis: Fred
Fred is a popular anesthesiologist in Houston, where he grew up in a prosperous home with two parents who were successful realtors. Fred is the second child of three brothers who have remained close to this day. He was an A student in high school and college and a talented athlete.
Fred came out as homosexual to his family some years ago, which has caused him a great deal of mental distress. His mother continues to deny and dismiss the matter, but his father, after some early resistance, has come to accept Fred’s sexual orientation and his partner. Fred’s older brother wasn’t bothered by the revelation, but his younger brother accused Fred of harming their mother by disclosing his sexual orientation. Fred has recently become extremely disturbed as a result of conversations with his partner regarding a commitment ceremony. While he knows he wants to marry his girlfriend, he is unsure whether or not to invite or even notify his family about the marriage.
Fred was recently held at gunpoint during an incident on the train. Although he believes he was not seriously affected, he has ceased taking the metro since it is inconvenient. He has panic attacks, usually while getting ready for work or later, which leads him to wonder if they are linked to the incident.
Fred claims that his family has no known history of mental illness. However, he thinks that his paternal grandpa suffered from alcoholism, saying that he often smelled of alcohol as a youngster and noting that his mother does not allow alcohol in their house.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
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Diagnosis
Fred demonstrates avoiding behavior in response to an incident in the metro station. He feels frightened and avoids riding the metro, preferring to ride his bike to work, despite the inconvenience. Fred is also attempting to prepare his commitment ceremony, which should be pleasurable but is creating mental suffering owing to his family’s attitudes toward his homosexuality and relationship. Fred appears to be suffering from PTSD, as seen by panic episodes following the heist, as well as longer-term PTSD caused by part of his family’s hostility toward his sexual orientation.
Case Study Analysis: Sally
Sally, a 23-year-old lady, has been brought to therapy by her parents, who are both approximately 60 years old and concerned about her recent behavior. Sally is the youngest of six siblings, each of whom is much older than her. Her childhood changed dramatically when her family sold their farm and relocated to a small city when Sally was about 10 years old. While two of Sally’s siblings still reside locally, the others have migrated for better job prospects.
Sally’s parents’ biggest concern is her extreme focus on creating what she feels would be a revolutionary novel. Sally’s commitment to her writing is unwavering; she works late into the night on her book and becomes visibly agitated and enraged when she hits writer’s block. This habit has escalated to the point that it is interfering with her everyday life and relationships.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
Sally’s elder brother, Ted, has a history of suicide attempts and is currently on antidepressants, which adds to her parents’ concerns. This family history of mental health concerns, particularly in close proximity to Sally, heightens their concern for her well-being.
Sally is irritated and dismissive of her parents’ concerns, expressing a strong desire to return home and resume work on her novel. She is extremely dedicated to her writing endeavor, seeing it as a possible road to success and fame. Despite her commitment, Sally’s parents are concerned that her tunnel vision on the book and her irresponsible financial conduct may indicate underlying concerns that require professional treatment.
Family factors play a role in Sally’s position; the transition from a rural, farm-based childhood to urban life may have impacted Sally’s sense of identity and goals. Her siblings’ accomplishments and her parents’ expectations may also influence her present state of mind and behavior.
Diagnosis
The way Sally behaves seems to indicate that she may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Her intense attention on completing her book, including staying up all night, feeling upset when work stops, and displaying rage when faced with impediments, might be seen as compulsive behaviors connected to her preoccupation with writing. Obsessions in OCD are persistent and unpleasant thoughts, impulses, or pictures, whereas compulsions are repetitive behavioral or mental activities that an individual feels compelled to execute in reaction to an obsession or in accordance with strict rules (Stein et al., 2019).
Sally’s obsession with her novel and obsessive writing practices are consistent with this pattern, in which she participates in intensive, recurrent writing sessions at the detriment of other elements of her life. This concern with writing, as well as the mental anguish she feels when she is unable to write, lends credence to the theory of OCD, in which compulsions help to alleviate the anxiety caused by obsession.
Further investigation and evaluation would be required to establish an OCD diagnosis, taking into account other potential variables and ruling out alternative explanations for her behavior. Integrating insights from Sally’s family history, present stresses, and personal experiences will be critical in building a thorough understanding of her symptoms and directing suitable treatment actions.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
Analyzing Treatment Options for the Case of Sally
The perception of OCD has changed dramatically, from being thought untreatable to having a variety of viable treatment options. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the primary treatment suggested for OCD in both children and adults, as evidenced by substantial research (Gragnani et al., 2022). CBT tries to treat the underlying cognitive processes and behavioral rituals associated with OCD, frequently resulting in lower relapse rates than medication alone (Foa, 2019). However, it has been highlighted that CBT has a dropout rate of around 25% before completion, underscoring the difficulties in treatment adherence (Foa, 2019).
Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is frequently used in combination with CBT to treat OCD symptoms. While medicines have different effectiveness and negative effects, they are nonetheless a useful addition to therapy in many circumstances (Foa, 2019).
Foa’s article highlights the necessity of personalized treatment approaches for persons with OCD, which fit closely with Sally’s symptoms and provide specific guidelines on the use of CBT and medication in clinical practice. This holistic approach guarantees that Sally’s treatment plan covers both the psychological and potentially pharmaceutical parts of her problem, resulting in more effective management and a better quality of life.
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
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Conclusion
The DSM-5 is an important resource for diagnosing mental illnesses, providing precise criteria and recommendations that enable professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists to successfully diagnose and treat patients. Case studies of Jenny, Fred, and Sally demonstrate how complicated mental health presentations may be, impacted by personal history, familial relationships, and traumatic events. Each story emphasizes the significance of a full assessment and specialized treatment planning that is suited to each individual’s specific requirements and problems. Practitioners can enhance results and assist clients in controlling their diseases by using therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication when appropriate.
References
Foa, E. B. (2019). Cognitive behavioral therapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(2), 199–207. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181959/
Gragnani, A., Zaccari, V., Femia, G., Pellegrini, V., Tenore, K., Fadda, S., Luppino, O., Basile, B., Cosentino, T., Perdighe, C., Romano, G., Saliani, A., & Mancini, F. (2022). Cognitive–Behavioral Treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: The Results of a Naturalistic Outcomes Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(10), 2762. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102762
Stein, D. J., Costa, D. L. C., Lochner, C., Miguel, E. C., Reddy, Y. C. J., Shavitt, R. G., van den Heuvel, O. A., & Simpson, H. B. (2019). Obsessive–compulsive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 5(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0102-3
Stein, D. J., Shoptaw, S. J., Vigo, D. V., Lund, C., Cuijpers, P., Bantjes, J., Sartorius, N., & Maj, M. (2022). Psychiatric diagnosis and treatment in the 21st century: paradigm shifts versus incremental integration. World Psychiatry, 21(3), 393–414. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20998
Yang, R., Zhao, Y., Tan, Z., Liu, J., Chen, J., Zhang, X., Sun, J., Chen, L., Lu, K., Cao, L., & Liu, X. (2023). Differentiation between bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder in adolescents: from clinical to biological biomarkers. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17(PMC10540438). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1192544
PSYC FPX 3110 Assessment 2 Diagnosing Using the DSM
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