CNL-605 Topic 5 Vignettes: Robin Is A 29-Year-Old ✓ Solved

CNL-605 Topic 5 Vignettes Robin Robin is a 29-year-old

Robin Robin is a 29-year-old Caucasian female who was referred to counseling from an emergency room doctor. Per the doctor, Robin was extremely distraught when she came into the ER as evidenced by her bizarre behavior and frantic attempts to receive medical help. She informed the ER doctor that she needed to undergo surgery to remove an implant that was in her abdomen. Robin further stated that her television had spoken to her and told her that the implant had been put into her body by aliens during abduction. The doctor assessed Robin for drugs and alcohol and found no evidence of intoxication or withdrawal. Robin commented to the doctor that "nothing like this has ever happened before" and that she felt "fine until 2 weeks ago," when she started receiving messages from the television.

Becky Becky is a 43-year-old Caucasian female who attends counseling regularly. Recently, the focus of counseling has been focused on Becky's relationship with her boss; she has informed her counselor that her boss is madly in love with her even though he is married with several children. Becky is trying to determine what course of action to take in convincing her boss to leave his family so that they can start one of their own. Becky tells her counselor that her boss has never discussed these matters with her outright, but she knows how he feels by the way he looks at her. Additionally, Becky states that she is able to infer his love messages out of work emails that he sends to her regularly. She has been working at her current job for approximately 2 years and believes that her boss has been in love with her for about 6 months.

Brett Brett is a 19-year-old Caucasian male who is brought to counseling by his parents, Margaret and Henry. Margaret and Henry are extremely concerned about their son and are looking for answers regarding his unusual behaviors. Brett is a college sophomore attending a local university; to save money, he lives at his parent's house and commutes to school. During his freshman year, Brett appeared to be doing well, but over the summer he began to act very strangely. His parents report that Brett started to spend a lot of time in his rooms with the shades drawn. He refused to bathe for days at a time and stopped eating regularly. Additionally, Margo and Henry heard Brett having conversations in his room when they knew that no one else was with him. One morning, Margo observed Brett sitting at the breakfast with a "blank" expression on his face while trying to pour milk into his shoes.

In all, Henry believed that these odd behaviors have been occurring for about 9 months. Margo and Henry are devout Pentecostal believers and report that they have raised Brett to attend church and to believe in God. They are worried because before the onset of Brett’s symptoms, he reported a disturbing incident. He took a World Religions class in which a student performed a “show-and-tell” Ouija board ritual for a class project in which he described Occult religions. Brett was very upset by the event. They sought help from the pastors in their church with little relief. They were referred to you by a friend. They state that mental illness does not run in their family.

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The cases presented offer a snapshot into the complexities of mental health issues faced by individuals at different stages of life. The first case is that of Robin, a 29-year-old woman who is exhibiting acute psychotic symptoms. Psychosis can often manifest in various ways, including hallucinations and delusions, as seen through Robin's belief that aliens placed an implant in her abdomen. It is critical to understand that psychotic experiences can stem from a range of causes, including severe stress, trauma, substance abuse, or underlying mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (Muench, 2020). The abrupt onset of her symptoms—beginning only two weeks prior—raises questions about possible triggers that may have precipitated her distress.

A thorough psychiatric evaluation should be conducted to rule out potential medical causes of her symptoms. Assessing for any underlying neurological conditions or issues such as a brain tumor would be vital, as they could lead to similar manifestations. Moreover, providing Robin with a supportive therapeutic environment where she can express her fears and thoughts without judgment will be essential in her treatment process (Muench, 2020; Nasrallah, 2019).

Next is Becky, a 43-year-old woman fixated on her boss. Her belief that the boss loves her despite being married speaks to potential attachment issues or misplaced perceptions of relationships. Anxiety, coupled with the character of her work environment, may contribute heavily to her misunderstandings. Psychological theories such as attachment theory can shed light on Becky's behavior (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Her difficulty interpreting social cues may indicate a need for further exploration of her interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, which could be addressed through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapeutic interventions.

The case of Brett, the 19-year-old male, presents a scenario steeped in family dynamics and possibly neurodevelopmental concerns as well. His behaviors, including isolation and ceasing self-care, align with classic signs of depression and anxiety in young adults. Many college students experience significant stress during their transition into higher education, which can lead to mental health crises (Eisenberg et al., 2009). The incident with the Ouija board might have triggered pre-existing predispositions toward anxiety or paranoia, especially given his family's strong spiritual beliefs. In this context, intervention strategies could include psychoeducation for the family and involving Brett in a therapeutic process that helps him confront and understand his reactions related to the Ouija board incident (Berger, 2021).

Effective treatment begins with careful assessment, including the use of standardized measures to gauge levels of anxiety, depression, and interpersonal stress. Collaborative goal-setting with the client can help steer therapeutic interventions in a productive direction (APA, 2013). For Robin, strategies might include psychopharmacological treatment to manage her symptoms, while for Becky and Brett, a blend of therapies that include CBT and family therapy could prove beneficial.

References

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