Topic 2 Case Study: Camicami Is A 16-Year-Old Hispanic Femal

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

Topic 2 Case Study: Cami Cami is a 16-year-old Hispanic female presenting for an assessment for mental health issues, accompanied by her mother, Dolores. Cami was recently seen by a school counselor because of symptoms related to suicidal thoughts and a possible eating disorder. Cami was observed by one of her friends at school texting another friend about an anorexia website. Cami has a history of going out at night with friends and she comes home under the influence. According to Cami’s mother, Dolores, she is not sure what her daughter is taking and concerned about the use of both alcohol and possibly other types of drugs. Cami lives with her mother and father, and has two brothers, ages 22 and 25 years old. Cami also has one younger sister, 13 years old. Cami is a junior in high school and her grades are average. Cami’s mother indicates concern about Cami getting into disputes and fights in school and she allows Cami to decide if she wants to go to school or not. There is reported substance use disorder in the family history and Cami’s maternal grandmother committed suicide. Cami is close to her oldest brother Jose and reports that she leaves school and stays at her brother’s apartment sometimes when she doesn’t want to go home. Please reflect on the following as you study this case: 1. Assessment needs in context of developmental stages, suicidal thoughts and mental health issues, familial relationships, eating disorder behaviors, substance use, and academic participation 2. The types of assessments used as part of the diagnostic interview 3. Identify significant factors that are associated with Cami’s substance use.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding the complex interplay of mental health issues among adolescents necessitates a comprehensive assessment approach, especially within the context of developmental stages, familial influences, and behavioral manifestations. The case of Cami, a 16-year-old Hispanic female grappling with suicidal ideation, potential eating disorders, substance use, and familial mental health history, exemplifies the multidimensional challenges mental health practitioners face in adolescent assessments. This paper explores the assessment needs pertinent to Cami’s case, the types of assessments employed during diagnostic interviews, and the significant factors linked to her substance use behavior.

Assessment Needs in Context

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by significant biological, psychological, and social changes (Steinberg, 2014). For Cami, her age signifies a period where identity formation, emotional regulation, and peer influence are particularly prominent, and mental health issues can profoundly impact her overall development and future trajectory (Kassam-Adams et al., 2016). Her suicidal thoughts necessitate immediate safety assessment, including evaluating her risk of self-harm or harm to others (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2021). Additionally, her behaviors related to potential eating disorders, such as anorexia, require specific screening to determine severity and associated health risks (Fairburn et al., 2015).

Familial relationships play a pivotal role; Cami’s family history of substance use disorder and maternal suicide are significant risk factors that heighten her vulnerability (Colman et al., 2020). Her close relationship with her brother suggests that family dynamics and social supports are vital considerations in her assessment process. Her pattern of staying at her brother’s apartment when she avoids home indicates potential familial conflicts or environmental stressors influencing her mental health (Ginsburg et al., 2018). Her decision to skip school and her reports of disputes highlight issues related to academic participation and peer-related conflicts, which are common stressors during adolescence (Friedman et al., 2015).

Types of Assessments Used

Diagnostic interviews serve as the cornerstone of adolescent mental health assessment. Structured and semi-structured interviews, such as the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS), are widely used to systematically evaluate mood disorders, anxiety, eating behaviors, and substance use (Goodman et al., 2019). These interviews facilitate detailed exploration of symptom histories, onset, duration, and severity, helping clinicians develop accurate diagnoses (Nock & Kazdin, 2016). For Cami, administering the K-SADS would help elucidate her suicidal ideation, potential depressive or anxiety symptoms, and comorbid conditions like eating disorders.

Self-report questionnaires and screening tools are also beneficial, particularly for capturing perspectives on substance use and disordered eating behaviors. Instruments like the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) or the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) provide quantifiable data to complement clinical interviews (Cohen et al., 2020). Furthermore, collateral information from parents and teachers enriches the assessment, providing context regarding her school behaviors and social interactions (Atkinson et al., 2015).

Family assessment tools, such as the Family Environment Scale (FES), are essential to understand familial dynamics, including communication patterns, cohesion, and conflicts that may influence her mental health (Moos & Moos, 2006). Given Cami’s family history, evaluating the familial environment sheds light on potential genetic and environmental contributors to her presenting issues (McLaughlin et al., 2017).

Factors Associated with Substance Use

Multiple factors are associated with adolescent substance use, many of which are evident in Cami's case. Family history of substance use disorder significantly elevates the risk, reflecting genetic predispositions and learned behaviors within the family environment (Chen et al., 2014). The reported substance use by her mother’s concern and her own recent behaviors underscore familial influence as a primary factor (De La Rosa et al., 2018). Adolescents often model parental behaviors; thus, exposure to substance use increases susceptibility (Chassin et al., 2016).

Peer influence is another crucial factor, as Cami’s behaviors—such as going out with friends at night and texting about an eating disorder website—highlight the role of social networks in shaping risky behaviors (Ennett & Bauman, 2014). Her association with friends who might promote or normalize substance use and eating disorder behaviors can reinforce her engagement in these activities (Sussman et al., 2017).

Psychological factors such as low self-esteem, poor coping skills, and emotional dysregulation contribute to substance use as a maladaptive coping strategy (Tanner-Smith et al., 2016). Cami’s suicidal ideation, combined with her apparent defiance of parental authority and skipping school, indicates underlying emotional distress that may be alleviated temporarily through substance use (Sherer & Nichol, 2020). Moreover, environmental stressors, including familial conflicts and academic issues, also act as precipitating or perpetuating factors (Andrews et al., 2015).

The intersectionality of these factors underscores the complexity of adolescent substance use, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive assessment to inform tailored intervention strategies (Miller et al., 2019). Addressing these interconnected influences requires a multidimensional approach that incorporates familial, social, and individual factors to effectively mitigate substance-related risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, assessing a teenager like Cami involves understanding her developmental stage, mental health, familial influences, and behavioral patterns, with particular attention to suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and substance use. Employing diverse assessment tools, including structured interviews, questionnaires, and collateral reports, allows for a nuanced understanding of her condition. Recognizing the significant factors associated with her substance use, such as family history, peer influence, and emotional distress, is critical for designing effective intervention strategies. A holistic, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate assessment approach is vital in addressing the complex needs of adolescents like Cami and supporting their path toward recovery and resilience.

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