Question

For this Discussion, review the client in the case study within the Learning Resources. Consider symptoms or signs presented by the client for a diagnosis. Think about how you, as a future professional in the field, might justify your rationale for diagnosis. Consider what other information you may need for diagnosis on the basis of the DSM diagnostic criteria.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, I just keep thinking what if something happens? I

mean I've always had trouble concentrating. But this time, it's different.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Different, how?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, you know how like you were talking on your cell

phone or something and it cuts out. You lose the connection. It's kind of like that.

My mind just goes blank.

And when I'm at the hospital and it happens, I flip out. I could give the patient the

wrong medication or something.

What if it's early dementia? I mean I've read about that happening. I read an

article just the other day about people in their 30s and 40s getting that. That's

horrible.

FEMALE SPEAKER: It sounds like you're constantly nervous that you'll go blank

and that something bad will happen. You mentioned having other symptoms.

Like what?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, at work, my temper. I flip out on patients sometimes

and on other nurses. I just freak out. I even started snapping at my daughter. And

that has never happened before.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, I understand. You're feeling anxious. And you're

having some temper issues, which are sort of out of character for you. How are

things going at home?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, I'm not sleeping very well at all. One of my favorite

things used to be to curl up at night with a book. But I can't concentrate. I have

this whole stack of books by my bedside table. I mean they're history books. And reading about history. But I haven't even touched them.

And my husband got so upset the other day because he brought me this kit for

scrap-booking, which is something I used to really enjoy doing. But I just took

them back to the store. I could not deal with that either.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, it seems like you're not finding relaxation in the things

that used to enjoy doing. Now, when you returned your husband's gift, you said

that you couldn't deal with that. What exactly couldn't you deal with?

FEMALE SPEAKER: The expense. You have no idea what these scrap-making

materials cost. I could spend that much in groceries in a week. And I thought-- So

that I lie in bed at night at 3:00 AM worrying about, just money, money, money,

money, money.

And my husband and I both work. We work really long hours. But it's just not

enough.

We really should have started saving for college. I mean my eldest is going to

start college in a few years. And I don't know what we're going to do. We don't

have the money.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Did you talk to your husband about your concerns?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah. Yeah. We talk. Alex, my husband, he's 12 years

older than me. I mean we get along fine.

But I worry about him. I mean at work for example, he's been up for this really big

promotion. But now it looks like he's not going to get it.

And his health, he's got a whole history of early heart attacks in his family. And I

just worry about that. I mean he hasn't shown any symptoms or anything. But I

really, really, worry that one day something might happen to him.

I mean the whole thing just feels like a very awfult. With care reform now, what if

they cut back on my hours at work? And what if I lose my job? Doctor, I cannot

afford to lose this job.

FEMALE SPEAKER: Any idea how long you've been having these symptoms,

the lack of concentration, trouble sleeping, problems relaxing?

FEMALE SPEAKER: A while. Off and on, I guess. I went to see a counselor

when I was in nursing school. I was Ms. Overachiever. I was making straight A's,

but I couldn't help but worry that it was never enough.

FEMALE SPEAKER:It sounds like you were feeling the pressure of trying to

achieve your career goals. Did the counseling help you?

FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah. Yeah. I guess it did. I mean I went for a couple of

months. And the counselor had me do this body scan exercise. And he

suggested I should start meditating. But who had time to meditate. I was too busy

making straight A's.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 a diagnosis of the client in the case study. Then explain your rationale for assigning this diagnosis on the basis of the DSM diagnostic criteria. Finally, explain what other information you might need about the client to make an accurate diagnosis based on those criteria.

Answer 1

symptoms:

• the lack of concentration, trouble sleeping, problems relaxing
• not finding relaxation in the thing that they were doing earlier
• Constantly worrying about paying the bills.
• Constantly worrying about everyday activities
• Worrying about grades; Worrying about college money
• Worrying about many things in general.
• This has been present since a long time. In college she consulted a therapist who gave sessions for s few months.
• She was also asked to meditate, in order to help her with relaxation.

This Implies that the patient is worrying excessively about a nu,bet of incidents and topics. This has been continuing for a long time. This worry I disproportional to the actual amount of risk present. This worry is multi dimensional with.

This signifies that the patient is having Generalised anxiety disorder- DSM 5.