Question

Gordon is a 63 year old married businessman who lives a seemingly normal life. Shortly after being ranked one of America’s highest paid CEO’s however, an investigation into the dealings of his company revealed that he, along with some of his top associates, led a corruption scandal that eventually lead to the downfall of the corporation. The scandal involved corporate abuse and accounting fraud resulting in thousands of employees losing their jobs and life savings. Gordon and other leaders in the company siphoned money from employee retirement accounts and used the money to buy luxury homes, yachts, and expensive vacations for himself and his family.

As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Gordon used his superficial charm and intelligence to reach the top of the company. He lacked empathy and a sense of personal responsibility for the well-being of the company and its employees and exhibited no remorse when his fraudulent actions and deceitful ways caused the company’s downfall were revealed. During the trial the prosecution revealed that Gordon had a history of impulsive, unscrupulous behavior beginning in childhood and persisted well into his adult life.

What are the biological/physical symptoms? (2 pts)

What are the psychological/emotional symptoms? (2 pts)

What are the social/environmental factors or stressors? (2 pts)

What is a possible diagnosis or diagnoses? (3 pts)

What treatment options are available? Compare and contrast two different possible treatment approaches for this patient. (6 pts)

Answer 1

Biological /physical symptom: Impulsivity

Psychological/emotional symptoms :

1. Deceitfulness as indicated by conning others/account fraud for personal profit.

2. Lack of empathy and a sense of personal responsibity for the wellbeing of others.

3. Lack of remorse for his fraudulent action.

4. Irresponsibility to honor financial obligation ( siphoning off from retirement accounts)

5. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviour.

6. Reckless disregard for safety of others ( taking away life savings of employees and siphoning off from retirement account).

7. Unscrupulous behavior beginning in childhood that persisted well into adult life.

Social/environmental factors or stressors: Use of superficial charm to reach to the top of company. Being ranked one of highest paid CEO , hence a need to lead a luxury life . Also, a history of impulsive, unscrupulous behavior beginning in childhood.

Possible diagnosis: Anti social personality disorder 301.7 (DSM 5)

Differential diagnosis : Narcistic personality disorder ( however possible conduct disorder from childhood is indicating otherwise)

Treatment options :

1. Cognitive Behavior Therapy ... Changing his cognition regarding need for lawful behaviour, deceitfulness through cost benefit analysis as the person is from business background.

2. Dielectical Behavior Therapy. For changing his impulsivity, lack of remorse for his actions etc.

3. Interpersonal reconsttructive therapy. To infuse responsibility for well being of others and empathy.