Written Assignment Module 11 - Psychological Disorders

Read each Scenario. State the primary Psychological Disorder described in each scenario. Identify and discuss the main points that led you to the diagnosis? (There are 8 scenarios in total) (12 points each)

SCENARIO #1

Although Cynthia used to look forward to work, over the last few months she dreads going to the office and sees it as an overwhelming burden. Recently when she does go to the office, she reports that she has a hard time concentrating and thoughts about her incompetence fill her mind as she constantly compares herself to her coworkers. Her long-term relationship with her boyfriend ended around the same time she began feeling overwhelmed and uninterested in her job.

She no longer joins her coworkers for dinner after work like she often did in the past. She reports she just cannot have fun and only wants to stay home alone. She sleeps 8-11 hours a day and reports not feeling hungry.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #2

Hailey reports that she felt particularly exhilarated over the last week. She impulsively quit her job and went on a weeklong shopping spree where she spent 5 thousand dollars. She was so full of energy she did not sleep for 2-3 days. Life was good; she was happy and felt on top of the world, she was invincible. She recalls going to a casino and betting thousands at a time. While there, she befriended 2 people and went to their apartment and had sexual encounters with both, even though she has a steady boyfriend.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER: (Be specific)

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #3

Melissa has felt uptight over the years. Lately, she finds herself consumed about germs. She feels compelled to wash her hands anytime she touches an object or person. It has gotten to the point that she washes her hands so often they have begun to bleed. She believes that if she does not wash her hands the germs will cause her to get gravely ill. Over the last few weeks, she has found herself constantly checking to be sure the stove is off whenever she leaves the house. This has caused her to be late for work on multiple occasions. She has even left work in the middle of the day to check that the stove is indeed off. These behaviors were having a negative impact on his life.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE:

Essen

SCENARIO #4

I was shopping at the supermarket when suddenly I was overcome by this feeling of doom. My heart was racing a mile a minute, I was sweating, I was having a hard time breathing and my whole body felt flush and hot, like it was on fire.

I was terrified; I did not know what was happening to me. Should I scream for help or will people think I am crazy? It seemed like everything was moving in slow motion.

I finally got home and tried to figure out what just happened. I was exhausted but I felt safe in my own home. I figured it must have been an isolated incident and I would be fine.

However, over the next month I experienced multiple incidences with similar symptoms...heart racing, scared I was going to die, loss of control, hard to breathe, etc. Every time I had to leave the house to run errands, I would worry about having another incident.

It got to the point that I became afraid to leave my house for fear that another attack would occur. If I did go out, I had to be near the exits, in aisle seats at movie theaters, near bathrooms just in case I had another spell and had to rush home. The fear was taking over my life.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER(S):

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #5

Jim was often truant from school when he was younger. He started fights and acted out in class, but his superficial charm enabled him to be excused for his behaviors. On multiple occasions, Jim stated how much he hated the neighbor's cat. One day, the cat's mutilated body was found in the woods behind his house. He showed no remorse for the owner of the dead cat. Now, at age 25 he continues to shoplift and thinks nothing of stealing money from family for his needs or wants. He recently found out that his parents have missed multiple mortgage payments due to lack of funds, resulting from his stealing. His parents are in deep debt. Yet he doesn't care, he accepts no responsibility for his actions.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #6

Around puberty, Mary became preoccupied with what people thought of her and extremely sensitive to subtle slights, real or imagined.She would get angry easily if she felt people were not giving her the attention she deserved.

People often described her as pushy and obnoxious.She made others feel that she was blaming them for her problems, as if she were not being treated fairly and deserved better.

She had very few friends because many felt incapable of gratifying her intense and continuous need for support, reassurance, and maternal comfort. She developed clingy, dependent relationships due to her fear of abandonment. These relationships were short lived because of her unpredictable behaviors and her inability to evaluate both sides of an issue.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #7:

Although Jerimiah is underweight, when he looks in the mirror, he sees fat. His life seems to revolve around his distorted image of his weight. He exercises excessively, sometimes 6 hours a day. He counts calories to ensure he eats less than the recommended calories for a healthy weight. He even declined attending a birthday party for his best friend for fear he may consume food which may cause him to gain a pound.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE:

SCENARIO #8:

Yogesh does not drive highways. Before he goes somewhere, he will map out the directions. If the directions include driving a highway, he will find an alternative route to take, even if it involves driving in city traffic during rush hour. Last week he drove an extra 40 minutes to avoid the highway. If he cannot find an alternate route, he will stay home.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER:

EVIDENCE: