Psychology 150: General Psychology

Scenario

Jim is a 25-year-old male who recently moved back in with his parents after his fiance was killed by a drunk driver 2 months ago. His fiance, a beautiful young woman he'd been dating for the past 3 years, was walking across a busy intersection to meet him for coffee one day. He still vividly remembers the terrible scene as the drunk driver ran the red light, hitting his fiance right in front of him. He raced to her side, embracing her broken body. Although an ambulance arrived very quickly, they were unable to save her. No matter how hard he tries to forget, he frequently finds himself reliving the entire incident as if it was happening all over.

Since the accident, Jim has been plagued with nightmares about the accident almost every night. He had to quit his job because his office was located in the building right next to the little caf where he was meeting his fiance for coffee the day of the tragedy. The few times he attempted to return to work were unbearable for him. He has since avoided that entire area of town.

Normally an outgoing, fun-loving guy, Jim has become increasingly withdrawn, "jumpy", and irritable since his fianc's death. He's stopped working out, playing his guitar, or playing basketball with his friends - which are all activities he used to really enjoyed. His parents worry about how detached and emotionally flat he's become.

The diagnosis should include:

1. The disorder(s) you think Jim has. Remember that in many cases, when a person suffers from one disorder it can sometimes lead to the development of other disorders (e.g., a person who suffers from schizophrenia usually also develops depression.).

2. Specific reasons why you think he has the disorder(s). This should include information about possible causes, the symptoms/abnormal behaviors Jim is exhibiting, as well as symptoms that are NOT present (which allow you to rule out certain disorders).

3. And finally, you should prescribe treatment options for the disorder. This should also be based on Jim's symptoms/behavior, and treatments that have been effective in treating the disorder(s) you diagnose. For this question, remember that there are medical treatments (medications), as well as talk-therapy techniques and other methods that are used to treat various disorder. Tell me what you think will work best as a treatment for Jim.