Diagnoses of Psychological Disorders, Essay Example

DSM Classifications

 DSM classifications are primarily used by psychiatrists and are revised every 5 years.  Schizophrenia is a major psychotic disorder that is characterized by recurring psychosis. It is ranked as one of the top ten global illnesses. The first line of defence for this disease is antipsychotic medications. Haloperidol is one of the most effective drugs that is below the FDA maximum daily dosage and is effective in a steady dose. However, quetiapine, clozapine, and iloperidone have to be increased gradually depending upon the patient’s tolerance level.

Bipolar disorder is treated by several types of medications-mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants.  Regardless to the diagnosis of bipolar I or II, most people with bipolar have manic or hypomanic disorders. Lithobid is a common mood stabilizer. Antipsychotics may be prescribed in conjunction with mood stabilizers to help balance the mental state of people suffering from bipolar. Zyprexa is one antipsychotic used for bipolar.

Simulation

Several conditions can be mistaken for psychiatric conditions. Streptococcal infection untreated can lead to onset of tics that could be mistaken for obsessive compulsive disorder. However, symptoms dissipate when the infection in medicated. Wilson’s disease is an inherited disorder that prohibits the metabolism of copper. It produces symptoms similar to schizophrenia, bipolar, and other anxiety disorders. Drug abuse over an extended period of time can present psychotic symptoms. Continued use of cocaine can produce symptoms of schizophrenia. Abusers often display symptoms of paranoia and depression.

Culture & Diversity

A person’s culture directly affects his/her mental health services choice. Often, cultural misunderstanding between the patient and clinician present barriers to recovery. One way that culture can affect mental health is in the way the client may describe his/her symptoms. For example, one study found that Asian clients were more apt to report somatic symptoms than emotional symptoms. In other words, clients will report their symptoms in a way that is culturally acceptable. Likewise, African American men are less likely to report emotional issues because mental illness is viewed as a form of weakness in black culture. Consequently, both groups are less likely to seek mental health help.

Diagnoses of Psychological Disorders

Case 1

In the first case, several explanations could elude to the patient’s condition. However, from a medical perspective, his condition might be directly correlated with the lifestyle he has led during the past 5 years. As a computer programmer, his lack of exercise can have a negative effect on his overall health. Likewise, the heart and endocrine systems can negatively react to the lack of a balanced diet and exercise pattern. Moreover, computer programmers are exposed to the occupational hazard of working long hours and irregular sleep patterns. Depending on the prior physical condition of the patient, gaining weight and lack of exercise may create undue stress on an already strained heart (Barlow, 2014). In any case, medical conditions can be ruled out by checking patient’s medical history and doing a blood test, cardiogram, etc.

On the other hand, from a psychological perspective, the patient seems to be suffering from a psychological disorder. With the given symptoms, the patient is most likely suffering from a physical form of anxiety disorder induced by the stress of upcoming wedding and consequent changes in his lifestyle (Hurt, et al., 2013). The rationale for this diagnosis is the cultural specifics of Asian psychology. In Asian culture, getting married is considered to be one’s most important events in life. The patient might be preoccupied with thoughts of wedding preparations, expenses, and future family obligations of being husband and father (Medalia, 2009). Consequently, the focal point of treatment is to comprehend which aspect of his wedding makes him anxious.

Before outlining a treatment plan, the context of anxiety development should be identified through a detailed discussion of patient’s family history, personal background, and relationship with parents, and perception of the future life. Depending on the findings of the preliminary discussions, the most suitable treatment might be psychoanalysis.  Yet, cognitive behavioural therapy might be an option too, if the cause is within the contemporary part of patient’s life, self-perception, and behaviour (Hurt, et al., 2013). In both cases, light medical treatment would be used to ease the symptoms and achieve relaxation.

Case 2

In the case of an 8-year-old boy, the teacher’s assumption might be correct and the boy would require medical and psychological testing for ADHD. Moreover, other differential diagnoses such as sleeping disorders, neurofibromatosis, toxic poisoning, and other potential medical conditions should be clinically ruled out (Bursztyn, 2011).

However, the boy seems to be most likely suffering from second-child syndrome. Accordingly, the boy’s behaviour is characterized by attention seeking acts, and his poor academic achievements might not even be a symptom, but rather a lack of motivation. Moreover, having experienced school for one year and not being able to achieve the same academic results as his brother ,with whom he is comparing himself in all aspects of life, the boy may have simply decided to give up academic achievements because he could not be  match  his brother (Medalia, 2009).

In any case, in order to understand the real cause of patient’s behaviour, a detailed conversation with him, his family members, and the teacher would be required for a more systematic understating of the case. Also, the cultural factor of the family and the role of the Hispanic preferential treatment of the eldest son would be relevant in the assessment of this case (Bursztyn, 2011). Under other circumstances, ADHD would be most likely the diagnosis, but for this case it is not quite as obvious. The most functional type of treatment would be cognitive behavioural therapy combined with family therapy, particularly if the cause of patient’s behaviour was conditioned by the family environment. Unless patient’s behaviour deteriorates severely and affects his physical condition, no medical prescriptions are required.

Case 3

From the described situation of the patient, the primary assumption is that her current condition is caused by the death of her husband. It is particularly difficult for her due to cultural background. In African-American culture, family values prevail and finding a new mate at her age is not an easy task (Hurt, et al., 2013). On the other hand, the presence of hallucinations of seeing her dead husband might be brought on by medical conditions, especially if she hallucinated prior to his death. One of the potential diagnoses is a brain tumour or any changes in brain chemistry (Medalia, 2009). Other potential diagnoses include schizoaffective disorder or dissociative disorder. In any case, further clinical tests would be required.

Yet, the most likely diagnosis would be psychotic depression mainly due to the presence of hallucinations. Although, at this stage of its development, hallucinations are mild and the patient does not have a tendency towards paranoia, if it is not treated it might develop further to suicidal inclinations (Barlow, 2014). The primary treatment would require an intensive individual psychotherapy aimed at demonstrating to the patient that there is life for her although her husband is dead. Another relevant aspect is working on the improvement of her self-esteem and realization that she is not alone. As an additional measure, family therapy would be useful for her relatives so that they may assist her during this transitional period (Hurt, et al., 2013). Moreover, mild antidepressants, mood stabilizers in conjunction with the psychological treatment would be beneficial. The medications would stop the hallucinations of her husband. Thus, she would be able to let him go with the help of counselling and family support. It is also advisable to keep long-term monitoring of this patient (Medalia, 2009).

References

Barlow, D. (2014). Clinical Handbook of Psychological disorders. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Bursztyn, A. (2011). Childhood Psychological Disorders: Current Controversies. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Hurt, S., Reznikoff, M. and Clarkin, J. (2013). Psychological assessment, Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Medalia, A., Revheim, N. and Herlands, T. (2009). Cognitive Remediation for Psychological Disorders: Therapist Guide. Oxford, OX: Oxford University Press.