psych 1

Email Reminder

• Check for the email containing case study papers.

• Ensure the correct case study number matches the email and document attached.

• Necessary for completing the paper.

Case Study Assignment

• Focus on creating a clinical picture of the individual.

• Start with the "Four E's" to identify abnormalities.

  • Be cautious about jumping to conclusions.

• Gather comprehensive client information.

  • Conduct interviews and use assessment tools like mental status exams.

  • Reference DSM-5-TR to confirm symptom criteria.

Analyzing Symptoms

• Underline symptoms and circle duration in case studies.

• Symptoms are critical for fitting diagnoses.

  • E.g., depression requires two weeks of symptoms for diagnosis.

Diagnostic Considerations

• Rule out alternative diagnoses while narrowing down options.

• Understand comorbidity: multiple diagnoses simultaneously.

• Determine primary vs. secondary diagnoses.

  • Primary: the diagnosis that came first.

  • Secondary: may arise due to the primary diagnosis (e.g., depression leading to insomnia).

Etiology and Causes

• Etiology = causes; recognize different potential causes within case studies.

  • Categories: biological, psychological, sociocultural.

• Use biopsychosocial model for understanding causes.

• Reference all categories in papers.

Psychosocial Stressors

• Identify current psychosocial stressors vs. symptoms.

• Current stressors are functioning problems, such as:

  • Financial difficulties, workplace conflicts.

• Avoid confusing stressors with symptoms in the diagnosis section.

Level of Current Functioning

• Categorize as mild, moderate, or severe.

• Definitions:

  • Mild: can function but may need counseling.

  • Severe: involves suicidal thoughts, active psychosis, hospitalization.

  • Moderate: falls in between mild and severe without critical conditions.

Prognosis

• Assess prognosis based on:

  • Diagnosis nature (chronic vs. recoverable).

  • Client's support systems (family, insurance access).

• Example of a good prognosis: depression due to loss with strong support.

Formulating Treatment Plans

• Use evidence-based treatments.

• Specify effective treatments based on the diagnosis.

• Therapy is superior to no treatment; use research to guide recommendations.

Schizophrenia Overview

• Hallmarks: psychotic symptoms, distorted perception, odd behaviors.

• Criteria: symptoms need to persist for six months with significant functional deterioration.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

• Positive Symptoms: excess of certain thoughts/behaviors (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).

• Negative Symptoms: absence of normal emotional responses (e.g., blunted affect).

• Psychomotor Symptoms: unusual physical movement patterns (catatonia, grimacing).

• Delusions: faulty beliefs (e.g., persecution, grandeur).

• Hallucinations: sensory perceptions without external stimuli (e.g., hearing voices).

• Distorted speech patterns and non-linear thinking, e.g., loose associations, neologisms (made-up words).

Current Level of Functioning

• Assess using clear criteria: mild, moderate, severe based on specific behaviors/symptoms.

Treatment Research

• Treatments must align with the latest research findings for effectiveness.