Case Of Brianna Intake Date October 2019 Identifying/Demogra ✓ Solved

Case Of Brianna Intake Date October 2019 IDENTIFYING/DEMOGRAPHIC

Case of Brianna: Intake Date: October 2019. Identifying/Demographic Data: Brianna is a 16-year-old Caucasian female residing in California with her parents and two siblings. She comes from an upper middle-class family and attends private high school.

Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem: Brianna stated she is “ugly,” and others have been laughing at her since she was 13 years old. Now the pain of her “ugliness” is affecting her friendships and her ability to enjoy the end of her high school years. She experiences constant anxiety regarding this issue, making her feel nervous all the time.

History of Present Illness: Brianna first noticed in her early teens that her nose looked fat, and her eyes seemed far apart. She begged her parents to let her undergo surgery, which they refused, suggesting she was too young. Now that Brianna is 16, she is once again asking for surgery, but her parents still refuse, as they believe she is a very attractive young woman.

Brianna has always been a good student and socially active. However, her confidence has declined significantly during her teenage years due to her perception of being ugly. She is withdrawing from high school activities, leading to a decline in her grades as she can no longer focus on schoolwork. Brianna often finds herself preoccupied with thoughts about her perceived defects. She spends substantial time isolating herself in her room, pacing, and feeling tingling sensations throughout her body.

Past Psychiatric History: Brianna denies any previous counseling. Approximately 1.5 years ago, she began to pick at blemishes and hairs on her face, believing they stand out and that others are focusing on them.

Substance Use History: Brianna reports having consumed alcohol at a few parties, denying any illicit drug use. She describes her alcohol consumption as minimal, stating it was merely to cope with the parties she attended.

Past Medical History: Brianna’s parents have taken her to multiple plastic surgeons and medical doctors in efforts to alleviate her worries about her blemishes, nose, and eyes. However, Brianna refuses to accept the doctors' reassurances.

Current Family Issues and Dynamics: Brianna’s sisters often mock her for her habit of frequently checking her reflection in mirrors and other surfaces. Despite the family’s continuous reassurances regarding her looks, Brianna remains unconvinced.

Mental Status Exam: Brianna appears her stated age of 16. She is well-dressed, has long blonde hair, and presents herself quite well physically. However, she describes her mood as depressed. Notably, her eating habits have changed, leading to some weight gain. Brianna also exhibits passive suicidal ideation, stating thoughts of wanting to die due to the overwhelming stress related to her appearance.

Paper For Above Instructions

The case of Brianna is a compelling illustration of adolescent mental health challenges, particularly the impact of body image and perceived self-worth on overall well-being. As a 16-year-old female, Brianna is navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence, a period often characterized by increased self-consciousness and peer pressure regarding physical appearance. Her struggles with anxiety, depression, and self-image warrant a thorough exploration through a psychological lens, as well as consideration of family dynamics and societal influences.

Brianna's chief complaint centers around her belief that she is "ugly," a perception that has developed over time and worsened since early adolescence. This belief is not uncommon among teenagers, particularly girls who are bombarded with unrealistic standards of beauty perpetuated by social media and cultural norms (Perloff, 2014). Studies indicate that young females often experience heightened anxiety regarding their appearance, leading to conditions such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or other anxiety-related issues (Phillips, 2005).

Brianna's insistence on cosmetic surgery serves as a focal point of her distress. Despite her parents' reassurances and the opinions of medical professionals suggesting she possesses a standard of beauty, Brianna's internal narrative of inadequacy prevails. This illustrates the disconnect that often exists between societal perceptions of beauty and personal feelings of self-worth (Tiggemann, 2014). Moreover, her repeated requests for surgery signify a desperate longing for validation and acceptance, further compounded by her sisters' ridicule, which exacerbates her feelings of inadequacy and isolation.

From a historical perspective, Brianna's decline in self-esteem and academic performance highlights the interplay between mental health and environmental factors. As she withdraws from social activities, her academic performance suffers, revealing a significant correlation between mental well-being and educational engagement (Eisenberg et al., 2009). Research has consistently shown that students experiencing mental health challenges often struggle with concentration and motivation, leading to decreased academic performance and engagement.

Additionally, Brianna's behavior of isolating herself and her engagement in skin picking may suggest underlying anxiety or even symptoms related to obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Research indicates that behavioral patterns such as excessive grooming can be a coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety, especially in individuals with negative body image (Holland & Tiggemann, 2016). It is crucial to consider these behaviors within the context of her mental health, as they can have further implications for her self-image and social interactions.

The family's attempts to reassure Brianna about her looks, while well-meaning, illustrate a common challenge in addressing self-esteem issues: simply telling someone they are attractive often fails to penetrate deep-seated insecurities. This reflects the psychological concept of the "social comparison theory," where individuals evaluate themselves against others, leading to negative self-assessments (Festinger, 1954). The environment in which Brianna finds herself, particularly with the presence of siblings who mock her behavior, is critical in shaping her mental health trajectory.

Importantly, Brianna's reported passive suicidal ideation raises significant concerns about her mental health status. This symptom demands immediate attention, as it indicates a potential risk factor for deeper psychological distress. Literature emphasizes the importance of early intervention in adolescent mental health issues to prevent escalation and promote healthy coping strategies (Gould et al., 2003). Integrating therapeutic support, whether through counseling or psychological intervention, could serve to address both Brianna's self-perception and the underlying anxiety driving her behaviors.

In conclusion, the case of Brianna exemplifies a myriad of challenges faced by adolescents dealing with negative body image, anxiety, and familial dynamics. It underscores the importance of comprehensive mental health intervention that encompasses not only the individual but also their social environment. Addressing these issues holistically allows for meaningful engagement with effective coping strategies and supports and emphasizes the need for empathetic understanding from family and peers.

References

• Eisenberg, D., Gollust, S. E., Golberstein, E., & Hefner, J. L. (2009). The impact of mental health on academic performance: A longitudinal study. Journal of Health Economics, 28(4), 1079-1092.
• Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.
• Gould, M. S., Munfakh, J. L., Lubell, K., Kleinman, M., & Parker, S. (2003). The impact of suicide prevention programs on suicide rates in the community. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 33(4), 412-426.
• Holland, G. & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating in women. Body Image, 17, 79-87.
• Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social media effects on young women’s body image concerns: Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research. Sex Roles, 71(11-12), 363-377.
• Phillips, K. A. (2005). The cruelest cut: Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 28(4), 1107-1123.
• Tiggemann, M. (2014). Social media influence on body image. Social Media and Body Image.