About Various Psychological Disorders And Their Complexities

About Various Psychological Disorders And The Complexities Involved Wi

about various psychological disorders and the complexities involved with proper diagnoses and treatment efforts. Now it is time to put your skills to the test. Choose ONE of the cases listed below and create a mental health assessment for your chosen case. In the assessment, you should address the following: a. Why is your client coming for treatment? b. What are his or her current symptoms? c. Does he or she have a history with this problem? If so, please describe it. d. How could the issue affect his or her daily life functions? e. What is your client’s specific diagnosis? f. What is the general class(es) of disorders to which this disorder belongs? g. What are your recommendations? What specific treatment plan will you prescribe for this patient? You should use your textbook as a reference to substantiate your plan. h. How could you get his or her family involved?

Choose ONE of these cases to analyze:

1. Tony sometimes seems very wound up. At those times, he seems full of energy, talks very rapidly, and makes very grandiose plans. Once, he gave away all of his belongings and was planning to move to Washington, D.C., so that he could advise the President. At these times, he also seems to need almost no sleep. During other periods of time Tony seems very down. During these times, he does not take care of himself. He seems to want to sleep all the time, and he often makes thinly veiled references to wanting to commit suicide.
2. Paula has not left her house for several months. When she tries to go out, she experiences great anxiety. She says she is afraid that if she leaves her house to go somewhere, she will not be able to get back. Before all this started, Paula seemed fairly normal except for having several episodes where, for no apparent reason, her heart started pounding, she started to sweat profusely, and she experienced all the symptoms of fear and terror. One of the reasons she is afraid to leave the house is because she is afraid she will have one of these episodes again.
3. Horace sleeps a lot, has great difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, and generally does not want to do anything. He has stopped seeing friends whom he used to see often and declines all invitations to do things socially. His most common response is “I just do not feel like it.” He looks sad all the time and does not seem to take pleasure in everyday activities. This has been going on for the past two months.
4. Patricia is a 44-year-old female who reports that she has periods of time where she cannot remember what she has done. She reports that after one such period, she received a telephone call from a man who claimed to have met her in a bar where she was “the life of the party.” She had also told the man her name was Priscilla. Patricia thinks that this is odd because she does not drink, and she is a rather shy and retiring person. However, the man had her correct telephone number and was able to give a good physical description of her.
5. Frank was attending college in San Francisco during a recent earthquake. He lived in the area that was hardest hit by the quake. Frank was not home when the earthquake hit and was not injured in any way, but when he returned home, he found his building demolished and his two roommates crushed to death. Frank immediately drove himself to the airport, bought a ticket to Boston, and got on the plane. His parents found him on their doorstep in Boston the next morning. Frank remembers nothing about the earthquake and nothing about going to college in San Francisco. The last thing he remembers is being a high school student and living with his parents in Boston.

Your response should be at least two pages in length. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must include citations.

Paper For Above instruction

Psychological disorders are diverse and complex conditions that impact individuals' thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and functioning. Proper diagnosis and treatment involve a thorough understanding of the client’s symptoms, history, and context. In this paper, I will analyze the case of Tony, a client exhibiting episodes of mania and depression characteristic of bipolar disorder, and propose a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan.

Tony presents with episodes of elevated mood, rapid speech, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behaviors such as giving away possessions and planning grandiose projects. During manic episodes, his energy levels are excessive, and he often displays an inflated sense of self-importance. Conversely, during depressive episodes, he shows low energy, poor self-care, suicidal ideation, and feelings of hopelessness. These cyclical mood swings are hallmark features of bipolar disorder, specifically Bipolar I disorder, characterized by at least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by depressive episodes (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Historically, Tony’s pattern of alternating mood states suggests a long-standing trajectory of mood instability. Recognizing these episodes early is crucial, as untreated bipolar disorder can severely impair daily functioning, damaging relationships, work productivity, and overall quality of life. During manic episodes, individuals often engage in risky behaviors, financial expenditures, or impulsive actions, while depressive phases can lead to social withdrawal, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. In Tony’s case, these symptoms manifest in behaviors that could jeopardize his safety and social standing.

The diagnosis of bipolar I disorder is supported by the presence of distinct periods of mania and depression, with substantial functional impairment. The disorder belongs to the mood disorder class within psychiatric classifications, affecting affect regulation and energy levels (World Health Organization, 2019). Comorbidities such as substance abuse or anxiety disorders are common but are not explicitly stated in Tony’s case.

For treatment, a pharmacological approach utilizing mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate is typically first-line therapy to manage mood swings and prevent relapses (Yatham et al., 2018). Psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help patients recognize early warning signs of episodes, develop coping strategies, and address mood regulation skills (Scott & Colom, 2020). Psychoeducation about bipolar disorder is essential for both Tony and his family, fostering understanding and support.

Family involvement is critical in managing bipolar disorder, as it can improve adherence to medication, reduce relapse rates, and enhance overall functioning (Miklowitz, 2018). Family-focused therapy (FFT) can be employed to educate family members about the disorder, improve communication, and develop crisis management strategies. Encouraging open communication and creating a supportive environment will help Tony manage his condition effectively.

In conclusion, a comprehensive assessment and integrated treatment plan combining pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and family involvement are essential for managing bipolar I disorder. Early intervention, ongoing support, and relapse prevention strategies can significantly improve the client’s quality of life and long-term stability.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
• Miklowitz, D. J. (2018). Family-focused therapy for bipolar disorder. In D. J. Miklowitz (Ed.), Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach (3rd ed.).
• Scott, J., & Colom, F. (2020). Psychotherapeutic interventions in bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 266, 1-8.
• World Health Organization. (2019). International Classification of Diseases for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (11th Revision).
• Yatham, L. N., Kennedy, S. H., Parikh, S. V., et al. (2018). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) guidelines for the management of bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorders, 20(2), 97-170.