Adjustment Disorder, Essay Example

The Axis I diagnosis of adjustment disorder with disturbance of conduct was given because Jack has experienced changes in situation, although the adjustment disorder diagnosis could be questioned on the basis of the length of time that has passed is Jack’s last divorce. If that occurred within the last six months, then the adjustment disorder diagnosis would be appropriate. The disturbance of conduct part of the diagnosis was given because of Jack’s difficulties at his job, his lack of friends, and his isolated behavior socially.

Jack was given three rule outs regarding personality disorders, mainly because while he exhibits characteristics of all three of the personality disorders listed, it is unclear whether these are lifelong behavior patterns, given the information presented. In order to be classified in these categories of personality disorders, there would need to be evidence that all of the behaviors that typified them are lifelong patterns.

Jack was given an Axis III diagnosis of “none” because there was no information given regarding any physical problems presented. The Axis IV psychosocial factors were self evident given the data presented in the paragraph. Jack was given an Axis V Global Assessment Scale number of 55 because he exhibits a moderate difficulty in social and occupational functioning, i.e. several job losses and few friends.

Other clinicians could conceivably give Jack an Axis I diagnosis of “none.” In the absence of information regarding symptoms, as well as the lack of information regarding when his last divorce occurred, no diagnosis on Axis I would be a reasonable response. Regarding the Axis II diagnoses, another clinician might also list no personality disorders, even ones to rule out, again because there is no information regarding how long Jack’s behavior and symptoms have gone on and when they originated. A clinician could reasonably want to rule out Schizoid Personality Disorder because of Jack’s social isolation and aloofness.

A treatment plan involving cognitive behavioral therapy could be quite successful with a client like Jack. Jack would be encouraged to talk about his feelings about his marriages and why they did not succeed, as well as the difficulties he has had professionally, trying to help him look at what part he may play in the failure of his jobs, helping him to make the connection between the timing of his marital problems with his career problems. In addition, CBT would include helping Jack to take concrete steps to change his social isolation, by encouraging him to form a friendship or social connection, as well as possibly utilizing group therapy to help him overcome his social difficulties.

Since Szasz believed that the concept of mental illness is a myth, and that most of the struggles that people have involve not disease of the brain but rather, problems in living, he would likely view this case as needing to be viewed through the lens of psychosocial issues that need to be addressed. The cognitive behavioral treatment plan described above would, I believe, fit into his view of what needed to be done with Jack, since Szasz strongly opposed much of the medical aspect of psychiatry to treat people, including the overuse of psychotropic drugs.

L’Abate theory of relational competence describes the set of traits that allow people to interact with each other effectively so that the individual can thrive in the context of complete family and social relationships. Given this framework, and its application to Jack’s case, it would be essential for Jack to engage in talk therapy as well as other means of communication such as writing and other nonverbal methods of expression. This theory would promote the prevention of Jack’s involvement in negative relationships as well. Some of the methods used to treat Jack would include enrichment programs as well as workbooks with the goal of enhancing Jack’s chances of getting involved in positive relationships rather than those he has already formed, which appeared to reinforce his difficulties at work and socially, causing him to avoid contact with people generally.