Ashford 6 Week 5 Final Paper 877133

Ashford 6 Week 5 Final Paperfinal Paperfor Your Final Paper You

For your Final Paper, you will demonstrate your knowledge of psychopathology and apply your skills to a realistic scenario. You will create a psychological report based on a character from a selected movie or historical case study from provided approved lists. The report should role-play as a clinician conducting an assessment and providing treatment recommendations for the chosen patient. The report must follow a specific structure with the following sections: Identifying Information, Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem, Symptoms, Personal History, Family History, Therapy History, Medical Conditions, Substance Use, Collateral, Results of Evaluation, Diagnostic Impression With Differential Justification, and Recommendations. Each section should address specific items as detailed in the instructions, incorporating diagnostic criteria from DSM-5, cultural considerations, and peer-reviewed support where appropriate. The report must be formatted according to APA style, include a title page, and cite at least five peer-reviewed sources published within the last ten years, with at least four from the Ashford University Library. The final submission should present a critical analysis and comprehensive treatment plan, exemplifying professional standards in psychological assessment and diagnosis.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper presents a comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic formulation for a character from a selected film, applying clinical knowledge of psychopathology within a culturally sensitive framework. For this purpose, I have chosen the character of Patrick Bateman from the film "American Psycho" as the case study, analyzing his behavioral and cognitive patterns in relation to DSM-5 criteria and relevant psychological theories.

Identifying Information

Patient Name: Patrick Bateman

Sex: Male

Gender: Male

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Age: 27 years

Race: Caucasian

Occupation: Investment Banker

Residence: New York City, NY, USA

Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem

Patrick Bateman presents with reports of pervasive feelings of emptiness and detachment, described as feeling "numb" and disconnected from his surroundings. He reports intermittent episodes of intense anger, impulsivity, and a history of engaging in violent behaviors without remorse. While he does not explicitly verbalize these issues as a problem, his behaviors frequently cause concern among peers and exhibit maladaptive patterns.

Symptoms

Behaviorally, Bateman demonstrates superficial charm, manipulativeness, lack of empathy, and sometimes sadistic tendencies, consistent in the DSM-5 criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (APA, 2013). He exhibits hallmark symptoms such as consistent disregard for others' rights, deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, and a lack of remorse, alongside superficial presentations rooted in narcissism. These symptoms suggest deep-seated intrapsychic conflicts related to identity, morality, and emotional regulation, manifesting in violent and antisocial behaviors.

Personal History

Patrick Bateman was raised in an affluent family environment in New York City. His father was a successful businessman, and his upbringing was characterized by material wealth and high social status. He reports excelling academically, attending elite schools, though he struggled with emotional connections and perceived superficiality among his peers. His childhood was devoid of meaningful emotional attachments, fostering feelings of alienation. He reports early tendencies towards manipulation and a lack of empathy, which persisted into his adult life. Cultural influences of wealth and materialism played a significant role in shaping his worldview.

Family History

Bateman's family consists of his father, a wealthy businessman, and his mother, who was involved in philanthropic work. There were no reported familial conflicts or substance abuse issues. His family was known for their social status and cultural emphasis on material success. He describes his relationship with his parents as somewhat distant but generally supportive. There is no indication of familial mental health issues, but the emphasis on superficiality and materialism may have contributed to his maladaptive traits.

Therapy History

There is little evidence of prior formal psychological treatment; however, Bateman reports occasional therapy during his college years, which was ineffective. Past interventions were brief and not culturally tailored, with no formal diagnosis or sustained therapeutic engagement. As such, there is limited data to evaluate treatment effectiveness, but his persistent symptoms suggest treatment resistance or neglect.

Medical Conditions

Bateman reports no significant medical illnesses or conditions that could influence his psychological presentation. His physical health appears unremarkable, with no chronic illnesses or neurological deficits reported.

Substance Use

He admits to alcohol consumption on social occasions and occasional use of recreational drugs, including cocaine and amphetamines, primarily to enhance social experiences. The quantity and frequency are moderate but episodic. Substance use does not appear to be primary driver of his behavior but may exacerbate impulsivity during use.

Collateral

Reports from colleagues and acquaintances describe Bateman as charming but superficial, manipulative, and unempathetic. They note his frequent fantasies about violence and his overall lack of emotional depth. No police reports or known personality testing results are available. Collateral sources support observations of persistent antisocial behaviors and a lack of genuine interpersonal connections.

Results of Evaluation

Applying various personality development theories, such as Freud's psychodynamic model, suggests Bateman exhibits narcissistic and antisocial traits rooted in early relational disruptions and a lack of empathy development. Behaviorally, his superficiality and manipulativeness are consistent with narcissistic traits, while his impulsivity and disregard for societal norms point toward antisocial tendencies. Using an object relations perspective, his detachment might be understood as a defensive mechanism against deep-seated feelings of abandonment or worthlessness.

Overall, based on a cognitive-behavioral framework, Bateman's maladaptive thought patterns involve entitlement, lack of empathy, and impulsive aggression. These cognitions perpetuate his destructive behaviors, which are reinforced by his affluent environment and cultural emphasis on material success over emotional depth.

Diagnostic Impression With Differential Justification

Baten meets DSM-5 criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (Cluster B) due to pervasive disregard for others’ rights, impulsivity, and deceitfulness. His superficial charm and manipulative nature further support this diagnosis. While narcissistic traits are evident, they are secondary to antisocial features and do not meet criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder as the primary diagnosis. Differential diagnoses such as psychopathy are considered, but the DSM-5 does not include psychopathy as a standalone diagnosis; rather, it is seen as a severity specifier within antisocial disorder.

Alternative diagnoses like Borderline Personality Disorder are less consistent, given the lack of affective instability and fear of abandonment. Schizoid or schizotypal traits are also less applicable, as Bateman exhibits active engagement in manipulative and reactive behaviors that contradict these diagnoses.

Recommendations

Given Bateman's complex presentation, a treatment plan rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy focusing on impulse control, emotional regulation, and developing empathy is recommended. Engaging him in therapy that challenges entitlement beliefs and incorporates social skills training could mitigate antisocial behaviors. Pharmacological interventions targeting impulsivity, such as mood stabilizers, might be considered if aggressive behaviors pose significant risks.

It is crucial to approach treatment with cultural sensitivity, considering his affluent background and superficial social environment. Paraprofessional and specialized interventions, including schema therapy, could address underlying maladaptive schemas. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy in severe antisocial cases, but sustained intervention may reduce harm and promote social reintegration.

In conclusion, a multidisciplinary approach combining psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, tailored to cultural and individual needs, offers the best chance for improving functional outcomes in patients like Bateman.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).