Part I.

Read the following case study below and in 400-550 words tell me what disorder you would diagnose the patient with and explain your reasoning. Please also include at least one differential diagnosis/rule out disorder that you considered.

"Ms. Ali is a 49-year old woman, who is single and unemployed. She was first diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder at the age of 23. Six months prior to presentation, she stopped taking her prescribed medications, believing them to be poisoned and had become disruptive and talkative.

Over the next three months her sleep deteriorated, she would often laugh aloud for no apparent reason and respond to questions asked by relatives with irrelevant or incomprehensible answers. She often remained indoors, would not interact with family members and would become agitated when her privacy was intruded upon. She believed she was the 'wife of Jesus the Christ', and that she had been instructed through visions to 'keep herself pure and remain in isolation till Christ comes'. She refused meals prepared by her mother believing them to be poisoned.

On a mental status examination, she was disheveled and spoke in a high toned voice. Her speech was largely irrelevant and her thought content comprised themes of religion, possessing supernatural powers and of being persecuted by witches."

Part II.

Of all the disorders you have learned (Personality, Somatic, Psychotic, Developmental/Cognitive, Substance-Related, Sexual, ADHD, Anxiety, Mood, Eating/Sleep and Dissociative Disorders)

Which 2-3 disorders/disorder types from listed above, would you say might be the most difficult for you to understand how to diagnose and why?

What questions, confusion, etc. do you still have?

And lastly, what has been the most beneficial or interesting thing(s) you feel you have learned?