Make Sure You Indicate In Your Write-Up How Each Piece Of In
Make Sure You Indicate In Your Write Up How Each Piece Of Information
Evaluate the case of Ms. Neighbors, a 25-year-old woman presenting with bizarre behaviors, preoccupations, and beliefs, in order to determine her most appropriate diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria. Your analysis should include identifying specific symptoms, matching them with the official DSM-5 criteria, justifying your diagnosis, and discussing rule-out diagnoses, their unlikelihood based on the case details. Additionally, consider potential genetic influences and prognosis for her condition. Your report should be at least one page, single-spaced, using 12-point font, and should be thoroughly supported with credible references.
Paper For Above instruction
Ms. Neighbors' presentation aligns most closely with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, particularly Schizophrenia, given her psychotic symptoms, abnormal beliefs, and behavioral changes. The critical symptoms include her belief that her neighbors are accessing and broadcasting her thoughts—known as thought broadcasting—which is a core delusional belief within schizophrenia. She also reports hearing her neighbors reciting her dinner menu, indicating auditory hallucinations, another hallmark feature of schizophrenia. Despite denying mood disturbances, her preoccupations with her neighbors and her belief that she needs a "contract" to eliminate them suggest delusional thinking consistent with Delusional Disorder but in the context of other psychotic features, schizophrenia remains a more comprehensive diagnosis.
According to DSM-5, the criteria for Schizophrenia include two (or more) active-phase symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms, which must be present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period, with some symptoms persisting for at least six months. In Ms. Neighbors’ case, the delusional belief that her neighbors can read her thoughts fits Criterion A: Presence of delusions. Her auditory hallucinations—neighbors reciting her dinner menu—fulfill Criterion A2: hallucinations. She displays no evidence of disorganized speech or grossly disorganized behavior, but her delusional system alone suffices for diagnosis, given the severity and impact on her functioning, especially her preoccupations and social withdrawal. The absence of mood symptoms helps rule out mood disorder with psychotic features.
Other possible diagnoses include Schizoaffective Disorder, which requires a period of mood disturbance concurrent with psychotic symptoms. In this case, Ms. Neighbors denied mood disturbances, such as depression or mania, suggesting that mood episodes are not present or prominent, making Schizoaffective disorder unlikely. Additionally, Brief Psychotic Disorder could be considered if her symptoms had been transient; however, her behaviors and beliefs persisted over months before remission, favoring a more chronic diagnosis like schizophrenia. Another potential diagnosis is delusional disorder, characterized by non-bizarre delusions without other psychotic symptoms. However, her auditory hallucinations and the degree of behavioral disorganization point toward schizophrenia, which typically involves a broader spectrum of psychotic symptoms.
Genetics play a significant role in schizophrenia, with heritability estimates around 80%. Family history increases the risk; however, in this case, no family history is provided. Nonetheless, environmental stressors, such as job loss and social stress, likely contributed to the onset or exacerbation of her symptoms. The early onset, presence of psychosis, and her subsequent recovery suggest genetic vulnerability with environmental triggers, consistent with current schizophrenia models.
The prognosis for Ms. Neighbors is generally favorable, especially considering her positive response to medication and her return to work within two months. Early intervention and adherence to treatment improve outcomes, reducing the risk of chronicity or relapse. Continued psychiatric support, medication management, and psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can maintain her remission and prevent future episodes. Her case exemplifies that with appropriate treatment, individuals experiencing acute psychosis can achieve significant recovery.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: APA.