The Case Of Kaylin Makaylin Is 22 Years Old And The Oldest C
The Case Of Kaylin Makaylin Is22yearsold Andthe Oldest Child Of Two Wo
The assignment requires providing a full DSM-5 diagnosis for Kaylin, explaining the diagnosis by matching her symptoms to specific criteria, describing assessment tools to validate her diagnosis, and explaining how to communicate this diagnosis to her. It also involves discussing engagement strategies for treatment, cultural considerations, initial treatment recommendations (including medication-assisted treatment or abstinence-based treatment), and specific resources tailored to her demographic and diagnostic profile.
Additionally, the task includes identifying and justifying referral resources based on her diagnosis and personal characteristics, supported by scholarly resources and assessments, with references formatted accordingly.
Paper For Above instruction
Kaylin Makaylin, a 22-year-old college student, presents with a complex profile characterized by substance use behaviors, mood fluctuations, anxiety, and nutritional concerns. Given her history and current symptoms, a comprehensive DSM-5 diagnosis is essential to guide effective treatment planning. The diagnosis, assessment, communication, engagement, treatment approach, and resource referral must be carefully integrated, considering her developmental, cultural, and social context.
DSM-5 Diagnosis
The primary diagnosis for Kaylin is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), moderate severity, corresponding to ICD-10-CM code F10.10. The criteria for AUD include a problematic pattern of alcohol consumption leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as evidenced by behaviors such as increased tolerance, unsuccessful efforts to control use, and continued use despite adverse consequences (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Kaylin’s pattern of regular weekend drinking, her dependence on alcohol for sleep, and physical symptoms such as mild tremors and nausea suggest at least moderate severity. The presence of withdrawal symptoms, like tremors and nausea, further supports this diagnosis.
Additionally, Kaylin exhibits symptoms consistent with unspecified Anxiety Disorder, characterized by chronic anxiety and difficulties with concentration, which may co-occur with her AUD, aligning with comorbidity patterns documented in the literature (Gowin et al., 2017). Although she reports no formal diagnosis of an eating disorder, her weight loss and reported no appetite could suggest the presence of an unspecified feeding or eating disorder, but further assessment is required to clarify this.
The diagnosis includes specific specifiers such as "In a controlled environment" if applicable and considerations of severity as "Moderate" based on her continued drinking pattern, physical dependence, and impaired functioning.
Matching Symptoms to DSM-5 Criteria
Kaylin’s regular weekend binge drinking, use of alcohol to manage withdrawal symptoms (e.g., tremors, nausea), and inability to regulate her consumption despite negative consequences align with criteria such as increased tolerance, unsuccessful efforts to cut down, and craves or urges, which are standard indicators for AUD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Her physical symptoms and adverse impact on academic performance validate the severity of her disorder.
Assessment Tools
To validate her diagnosis, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) would be a valuable tool, providing a quantitative measure of her alcohol consumption, dependence symptoms, and related problems (Babor et al., 2001). Additionally, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) can assess anxiety severity, which may influence her treatment approach (Spitzer et al., 2006). To evaluate her nutritional status, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) could help clarify if an eating disorder is present.
A comprehensive clinical interview, including collateral information from her roommates and academic records, is vital to gather context and track her progress. Laboratory assessments such as liver function tests, blood alcohol levels, and a basic metabolic panel are recommended to assess physical health and withdrawal risks.
Explaining the Diagnosis to Kaylin
When conveying her diagnosis, it’s crucial to adopt a compassionate, non-judgmental tone. I would explain that her symptoms meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder, which is a common and treatable condition characterized by a problematic pattern of drinking that affects her health, relationships, and daily functioning. Clarifying that her physical symptoms and academic difficulties are manageable provides hope, emphasizing that diagnosis is a step toward recovery and improved well-being. Engaging her in understanding the biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to her condition fosters collaboration and motivation for treatment.
Engagement and Cultural Considerations
Engaging Kaylin in treatment requires acknowledging her cultural background as Korean-American and understanding the stigma associated with substance use within some communities. Culturally sensitive approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI) can facilitate her readiness to change, respecting her values and experiences (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Recognizing her gender-specific vulnerabilities to alcohol and stress, as well as her socioeconomic status, guides tailoring interventions that resonate with her context and reduce barriers to care.
Initial Treatment Recommendations
Given her physical dependence, I would recommend a combination of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), such as naltrexone, which reduces cravings and helps prevent relapse, alongside evidence-based psychosocial interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). MAT's efficacy in women is well documented, as it addresses neurobiological components of dependence and enhances treatment retention (Reus et al., 2018). Abstinence-based treatment (ABT) may be too restrictive initially, especially considering her ongoing social drinking and underlying anxiety, making MAT a more practical initial approach with plans for eventual abstinence.
Resources and Referrals
Referrals to specialized addiction treatment programs, such as outpatient MAT clinics, are vital. Additionally, engaging her with campus mental health services and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can promote peer support and accountability. Considering her age and gender, culturally competent therapists familiar with Asian-American mental health issues and substance use stigma should be prioritized. Nutritional counseling and a review of her sleep patterns can also support her overall recovery.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Babor, T., de la Fuente, J. R., Saunders, J., & Grant, M. (2001). AUDIT: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Guidelines for Use in Primary Care. World Health Organization.
- Gowin, J. L., Sloan, M. E., Stangl, B. L., Vatsalya, V., & Ramchandani, V. A. (2017). Vulnerability for alcohol use disorder and rate of alcohol consumption. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(10), 998–1004. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17010001
- Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Publications.
- Reus, V. I., Fochtmann, L. J., Bukstein, O., et al. (2018). The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the pharmacological treatment of patients with alcohol use disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(1), 86–90. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17070755
- Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092–1097.
- Stock, A.-K. (2017). Barking up the wrong tree: Why and how we may need to revise alcohol addiction therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1844. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01844
- World Health Organization. (2018). International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). WHO.
- Gowin, J. L., Sloan, M. E., Stangl, B. L., Vatsalya, V., & Ramchandani, V. A. (2017). Vulnerability for alcohol use disorder and rate of alcohol consumption. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(10), 998–1004. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17010001
By approaching Kaylin’s case with a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based strategy, effective intervention can facilitate her recovery process, address underlying issues, and support her in achieving long-term health and social functioning.