Topic 2 Case Study: Camicami, A 16-Year-Old Hispanic Female ✓ Solved

Topic 2 Case Study Camicami Is A 16 Year Old Hispanic Female Present

Given the case of Cami, a 16-year-old Hispanic female, her assessment needs encompass multiple developmental, psychological, familial, and social factors. The assessment process must be comprehensive, addressing her mental health issues, suicidal ideation, eating disorder behaviors, substance use, family history, and academic participation. Each aspect requires specific evaluation methods tailored to her developmental stage and individual circumstances.

From a developmental perspective, adolescence is a critical period characterized by identity formation, emotional regulation, and increased risk-taking behaviors. Cami’s symptoms—suicidal thoughts, substance use, and disordered eating—are concerning indicators that necessitate urgent assessment. Her age also involves evaluating her cognitive and emotional maturity to determine her capacity for understanding her health risks and making informed decisions.

The presence of suicidal ideation and recent behaviors such as texting about an anorexia website suggest severe mental health concerns. Hence, assessments must include a thorough risk assessment for suicide, including evaluating her ideation, intent, plan, means, and protective factors. The assessment should also explore her emotional state, including feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness, which are often linked to both depression and suicidal ideation.

Familial relationships play a significant role in her mental health profile. Cami’s close relationship with her older brother Jose offers a potential protective factor, but her reports of conflicts at school and her decision to stay at her brother’s apartment indicate possible familial stressors. Her family history of substance use disorder and her grandmother’s suicide suggest genetic and environmental vulnerabilities that increase her risk for similar issues. Family assessments should explore communication patterns, support systems, and family dynamics to inform intervention strategies.

In addressing disordered eating behaviors, assessments should include screening for anorexia nervosa or bulimia using standardized tools such as the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) or the SCOFF questionnaire. Observation of physical health, weight patterns, and body image perceptions are essential components. Given her interaction with an anorexia website, assessing her attitudes towards body image and eating behaviors is critical.

Substance use assessment requires detailed inquiry about types of substances used, frequency, quantity, context, and consequences. Standardized tools like the CRAFFT Screening Test can help identify substance use risks in adolescents. Given her recent behaviors—going out at night, coming home intoxicated—an assessment should also evaluate potential co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Academic participation offers insight into her functioning. Cami’s average grades and attendance patterns may be affected by her mental health, substance use, and familial conflicts. Educational assessment can include teacher reports, attendance records, and direct interviews to determine how her functioning is impacted and what support services might be needed.

Assessment Needs in Context

The assessment process must be multidimensional, integrating developmental considerations with clinical factors. A comprehensive approach involves clinical interviews, standardized screening tools, physical examinations, and collateral information from family, teachers, and peers. It is essential to evaluate her risk factors, including familial history of mental illness and substance use, her current mental state, and her social environment.

Diagnostic Evaluation and Assessment Tools

The diagnostic interview should incorporate structured or semi-structured formats such as the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) or the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Youth (SCID-Y). These tools enable systematic assessment of mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, conduct disorders, and substance use. The use of mental status exams, physical health checks, and laboratory tests (e.g., blood work, toxicology screens) is also recommended to identify any physiological effects of substance use or malnutrition.

Factors Associated with Cami’s Substance Use

Multiple factors contribute to Cami’s substance use behaviors. Her familial history of substance use disorder suggests genetic vulnerability. Her grandmother’s suicide indicates a familial pattern of mental health issues, which may influence her own risk. Her feelings of disconnection, conflicts at school, and her decision to stay at her brother’s apartment when feeling distressed point to maladaptive coping strategies. Additionally, her engagement with online anorexia communities may perpetuate disordered eating and substance use by reinforcing unhealthy behaviors and peer influences.

Adolescents often turn to substances as a way to cope with stress, emotional dysregulation, and peer pressure. Cami’s risk-taking behaviors, such as drinking alcohol and possible other drugs, are compounded by her low perceived support at home and her mental health struggles. The family’s attitudes toward substance use and her personal peer relationships further influence her engagement in these risky behaviors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cami’s assessment must be a holistic process that evaluates her developmental stage, mental health status, and familial and social contexts. Utilizing appropriate screening tools and structured interviews will facilitate accurate diagnosis and tailored interventions. Addressing her substance use, eating disorder behaviors, and suicidal thoughts requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating mental health counseling, family therapy, and school-based support. Recognizing her strengths, such as her close relationship with her brother, can be harnessed to bolster her resilience and recovery.

References

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• Feldman, S., & Downey, G. (2020). Family influences on adolescent mental health. Developmental Review, 55, 100-117.
• Ginsburg, G. S., & Becker-Haimes, E. (2018). Assessing suicidal ideation in adolescents. Psychology in the Schools, 55(7), 623-636.
• Johnson, R., & Lawrence, D. (2016). Comorbid substance use and mental health disorders in adolescents. Addictive Behaviors, 64, 210-215.
• Levine, D. A., & Searight, H. R. (2015). Eating disorders in adolescence: Clinical assessment. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 62(3), 439-456.
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• Walsh, B. (2019). Treating adolescent eating disorders. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 42(1), 157-172.
• Yardley, L. (2021). The influence of peer and family relationships on adolescent substance use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 158-170.