PSYCHOLOGY DIAGNOSTIC CASE STUDY:

MRS. STACY WASHINGTON

Mrs. Stacy Washington is an 89-year-old African American female who was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of lumbago (general lower back pain) and urinary retention (failure to empty the bladder completely). Mrs. Washington appeared confused and disoriented when the social work intern attempted to assess her. The social work intern then made an appointment with Mrs. Washington's son, who was listed in her chart as the emergency contact.

Mr. Washington appeared relieved when contacted by the social work intern. He reported that he was the primary caretaker of his elderly mother, whom a physician had diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder about one year ago after performing a series of tests. Mr. Washington said that the symptoms were initially not serious. Mrs. Washington would occasionally forget things, but she was able to take care of herself. During the last three or four months, however, his mother was becoming more forgetful. She would pick up various personal items and then put them down and become frustrated when she was unable to find them. Mr. Washington reported that he kept finding these items in random places in and around the house. In addition, Mr. Washington reported that his mother is no longer able to perform certain activities, such as knitting, that she had done throughout her life. His mother, he went on to say, often did not recognize her own children, relatives, and friends. She became panicky at such times and would yell at people to leave her alone. These episodes became worse around sunset.

1. What is your diagnosis?
2. What are the specific symptoms you've observed and how do they fulfill each criterion for the diagnosis?
3. Please discuss 1 potential differential diagnosis and why it was not selected.
4. Please provide any applicable Z Codes