To Prepare Imagine That Jennifer Brea Whose TED Talk TED Con

To Prepare Imagine That Jennifer Brea Whose Tedtalk Ted Conference

To prepare: · Imagine that Jennifer Brea, whose TEDTalk (TED Conferences, LLC, 2016) you watched, is referred to you for ongoing supportive therapy when her psychiatry consultant decides that she does not have a conversion disorder. Despite the psychiatrist’s opinion, her primary care physician ignores that consult and labels Jennifer with the conversion disorder anyway. Be sure to investigate what the ‘conversion’ diagnosis means when responding. · Record your presentation using Personal Capture (record audio, video, and screen). See Kaltura Media Uploader in left-hand navigation menu in course for directions on recording and uploading media. By Day 7 Submit a 5-minute recorded PowerPoint (5–7 slides) in which you address the following: · Explain in a concise professional manner how you would conduct your first meeting with Jennifer. Identify specific steps you would take to understand her circumstance and needs. · Explain how you would proceed with her medical team in terms of advocacy for her as a client believed to have this condition. · Explain why you would need to take a biopsychosocial approach to her ongoing care. · Explain what social, family, vocational, Internet, and medical supports you would explore to help with her longer-term stabilization. · Analyze the controversy in diagnosing a mental disorder based on unexplained physical symptoms. Within your analysis, consider how power and privilege influence who provides the diagnoses and which groups are more likely to be diagnosed with certain disorders. Explain your thoughts on this debate. Support your presentation with research and references to scholarly literature. Include a transcript and/or edit closed captioning in your presentation to ensure your presentation is accessible to colleagues of differing abilities.

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will outline an approach to supporting Jennifer Brea, a patient with suspected conversion disorder, and explore the complexities surrounding diagnosis and treatment. The process involves a compassionate initial assessment, collaboration with her medical team, adoption of a biopsychosocial framework, and consideration of social supports for long-term stabilization. Additionally, I will analyze the controversy inherent in diagnosing mental disorders based on unexplained physical symptoms, emphasizing the influence of power, privilege, and societal factors in diagnostic practices.

First Meeting with Jennifer: Conducting a Compassionate and Comprehensive Assessment

The initial appointment with Jennifer must be approached with empathy, openness, and professionalism. The primary goal is to create a safe environment where Jennifer feels heard and respected. I would begin by establishing rapport, assuring her that her concerns are valid and that my primary interest is her well-being. A detailed history would be elicited, including her medical, psychological, social, and family background, with particular attention to her physical symptoms, their onset, duration, and impact on her daily life (Goyal et al., 2017). It is essential to explore her subjective experiences, beliefs about her condition, and her coping mechanisms.

I would conduct a thorough mental status examination to assess her emotional state, cognitive functioning, and possible confusion or distress. Given the complexity of symptoms associated with conversion disorder, which involves neurological symptoms not explained by medical evaluation (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), I would also review her previous medical records and diagnostic tests to understand the progression and patterns of her symptoms (Stone et al., 2020). This comprehensive approach helps to avoid misdiagnosis and lays the groundwork for future collaboration.

Understanding her social context is also crucial. This includes her family dynamics, social support system, vocational status, internet influences, and cultural background. By adopting an empathetic listening style and providing psychoeducation, I would aim to empower Jennifer to participate actively in her care plan. It’s vital to validate her experiences while clarifying that a thorough investigation is ongoing, emphasizing a collaborative and respectful approach (Kirmayer & Minas, 2018).

Collaborating with the Medical Team and Advocacy

Effective communication and advocacy are essential in ensuring Jennifer receives appropriate care. Since there is disagreement about her diagnosis, I would serve as a liaison between her and her multidisciplinary team, advocating for patient-centered care. This involves ensuring her voice is heard and her concerns are integrated into her treatment plan. I would request regular case conferences, facilitate shared decision-making, and encourage the team to consider both neurological and psychological perspectives (Kirmayer & Minich, 2017). Advocacy extends to addressing potential biases and stigma associated with conversion disorder, which may influence treatment options and perceptions (Wicksell et al., 2019).

In cases where diagnostic ambiguity exists, it’s important to promote a flexible, integrative approach that does not dismiss her symptoms but seeks to understand their etiology comprehensively. Promoting transparency about diagnostic uncertainty can help foster trust and cooperation (Stone et al., 2020). I would also educate her about the nature of physical symptoms and discuss the possible roles of psychological stress, trauma, or neurobiological factors while avoiding stigmatization.

The Need for a Biopsychosocial Approach

A biopsychosocial model recognizes that physical symptoms—such as those presented by Jennifer—are rarely caused by either purely biological or purely psychological factors alone. Instead, they result from complex interactions among biological vulnerabilities, psychological states, and social environments (Engel, 1977). This approach facilitates comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment strategies. For Jennifer, this means addressing any underlying psychological issues like trauma or anxiety, biological factors such as neurological function, and social influences including family dynamics and cultural beliefs (Harrington et al., 2014).

Applying this model fosters a nuanced understanding of her condition, reducing the risk of stigmatization and promoting integrated care. It also emphasizes the importance of team collaboration among neurologists, psychologists, social workers, and primary care physicians. Recognizing the interconnectedness of her physical and psychological symptoms can facilitate interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, physical therapy, and social support, which together support her recovery.

Supporting Long-Term Stabilization: Social, Family, Vocational, and Medical Supports

Long-term stabilization for Jennifer hinges on a multidimensional support network. Social support is vital; engaging family members in psychoeducation can improve understanding and reduce conflict (Elger et al., 2017). Vocational rehabilitation or flexible work arrangements may help her maintain a sense of purpose and normalcy while managing symptoms. Internet resources, support groups, and online therapy platforms can provide ongoing emotional support and information (Lindsay et al., 2019).

Medical supports include regular follow-up with healthcare providers, ongoing physical therapy, and psychiatric support when appropriate. A multidisciplinary team approach not only addresses her current symptoms but also helps identify emerging issues and adjusts the care plan accordingly (Slater et al., 2020). Peer support groups for patients with conversion disorder or similar symptoms can foster a sense of community and shared experience, contributing to her long-term psychological resilience.

The Controversy in Diagnosing Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Diagnosing mental disorders based on unexplained physical symptoms has long been controversial. Critics argue that these diagnoses risk pathologizing normal responses to stress or cultural expressions of distress (Kirmayer & Robbins, 2017). Power and privilege greatly influence who provides diagnoses—often clinicians from dominant cultural backgrounds may impose their perspectives, which can marginalize or stigmatize marginalized groups (Chow-White et al., 2019). Certain populations, such as racial minorities or socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, are more likely to be diagnosed with somatic symptom disorders or conversion disorder due to systemic biases, language barriers, or cultural misunderstandings (Hall et al., 2018).

This debate raises important ethical questions about the validity of such diagnoses, cultural competence in healthcare, and the potential for misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis in vulnerable populations. It also underscores the importance of considering social determinants of health and advocating for equitable diagnostic practices that acknowledge cultural diversity and systemic inequalities (Kirmayer et al., 2019). Ultimately, a nuanced understanding and a cautious, patient-centered approach are essential to balance diagnostic clarity with respect for individual experiences.

Conclusion

Supporting Jennifer requires a compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive approach. Building trust during the initial assessment, advocating effectively within her medical team, applying a biopsychosocial framework, and leveraging social supports are vital components of her ongoing care. Recognizing the complexities and controversies of diagnosing unexplained physical symptoms emphasizes the need for ethical, informed, and culturally competent practice. Addressing these multifaceted issues holistically is essential to fostering her recovery and well-being.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Chow-White, P. A., et al. (2019). Cultural Competence and Psychiatry. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 26(2), 50-59.
• Elger, T., et al. (2017). The Role of Family Support in Mental Health Recovery. Family Processes, 56(2), 339-351.
• Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129-136.
• Goyal, N., et al. (2017). Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Conversion Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(4), e437-e441.
• Hall, N. J., et al. (2018). Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities in Somatic Symptom Disorders. Health Equity, 2(1), 306-312.
• Harrington, A., et al. (2014). The Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Disease. Advances in Psyhology, 13, 65-77.
• Kirmayer, L. J., & Minas, H. (2018). Rethinking the Cultural Context of Psychiatric Diagnosis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 206(7), 471-476.
• Kirmayer, L. J., & Minich, C. (2017). The Cultural Context of Schizophrenia: An Integrative Review. Transcultural Psychiatry, 54(4), 435-456.
• Kirmayer, L. J., et al. (2019). Toward a Culturally Informed Psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 489-518.
• Stone, J., et al. (2020). Conversion disorder and related neurobiological research. Neuropsychology Review, 30(2), 116-130.
• Wicksell, R. K., et al. (2019). Addressing Stigma in Conversion Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 627-639.