Brief Psychological Disorders: A Case Study

Provide a tentative diagnosis for each of the following case studies. Write at least one paragraph for each, justifying your answer in terms of the DSM-V criteria for that particular disorder. Remember, writing matters, as you will be judged on the quality of your communication as well as on the justification for the tentative diagnoses.

PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Psychotic disorders are a collection of disorders in which psychosis predominates the symptom complex. Psychosis is defined as a gross impairment in reality testing. Specific psychotic symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, ideas of reference, and disorders of thought Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV)

The peak age at onset for the first psychotic episode is the early- to mid-20s for males, as Martin’s case. The onset may be abrupt or insidious, but most people manifest a slow and gradual development of a variety of clinically significant signs and symptoms. The effect of age at onset is likely related to gender, with males having worse premorbid adjustment, lower educational achievement, more prominent negative symptoms and cognitive impairment, and in general a worse outcome.

Psychotic disorders can be described as a mental health disability in which a person experiences changes in thinking, perception, mood and behaviour which can severely disrupt their lives. Some of the main psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic depression, schizo affective disorder and drug induced pychosis. Some common symptoms when a psychotic disorder is developing include depression, anxiety, irritability, suspiciousness, blunted or flat or inappropriate emotion, changes in appetite, changes in thinking, difficulties in concentration or attention, a sense of alteration to ones self or the outside world, odd ideas and unusual perceptual experiences. Some behavioural symptoms can include sleep disturbance, social isolation or withdrawal and/or reduced ability to carry out work and social roles.

Many psychotic patients, especially schizophrenics, display a lack of insight into their disorder (Keefe 9). Lack of insight refers to an unawareness of having a disorder, unawareness of having psychotic symptoms, and a refusal of treatment. Some scientists include other more specific aspects such as patients' views on cause of their disorder and/or symptoms,

It affects how a individuals think, feels, and behavior (Hall, 2013). According to The National Institute of Mental Health (2016) in ones’ lifetime, out of one thousand, 7 or 8 individuals will have schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is described by psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, flattened affect, cognitive deficits and occupational and social dysfunction (Hall, 2013). The cause of schizophrenia is unknown (Hall, 2013). Individuals suffering from schizophrenia will only experience one episode and for the remaining of their lives they are able to control it; within two years, majority of individuals’ symptoms will relapse; many individuals will always have symptoms and never be free of them while others will continue to be resistant to treatment (Hall,

The reason why I mention this is due to a case I had with a patient last night. Although, she did not have schizophrenia, she was diagnosed with bipolar II with psychotic features. I realized

Schizophrenia is a chronic, lifetime mental disorder that cannot be cured, but can be effectively treated and managed. Research conducted in developed countries revealed that about 20 to 35 percent of patients undergo a rapid improvement when treated. Approximately, 70 percent of the patients suffer a relapse of acute symptoms within the next 2 to 5 years after being discharged from hospital. The risk of relapse usually decreases 10 years after the initial onset.

experiencing psychosis, have been found to reduce the relapse of psychotic episodes. This type of

I learnt that using anti-psychotics is just a component of a holistic approach to a patient with psychotic illness and that care should also include psychological treatments

Schizophrenia in most cases are episodic, which means the patient's psychotic disorder presents itself only sometimes, and other times they can function just fine. (N. Natsuaki, personal communication, February 26, 2013). Elyn in her early stage had a few episodic symptoms where she suddenly started

In order to be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder one must meet specific criteria that the DSM-5 clearly outlines. In order to be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder one must meet a number of negative and positive symptoms associated with schizophrenia, these negative symptoms include: false beliefs that are not based in reality, alteration in sensory perceptions, alteration in thought processes, abnormal motor behavior, and a range of symptoms that reduce the person’s ability to function properly (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2016; National Library of Medicine, 2014). In addition to the negative and positive symptoms, the alterations in thought processes and sensory perceptions must not occur concurrently with a mood episode for more than two weeks in the course of the disturbance (APA, 2013). It is crucial that the mood occurrence exists for the entire disturbance including when the symptoms are active and when the symptoms are less prominent (APA, 2013). Lastly, the symptoms experienced must not be caused by substance induced psychosis or any other external factors (APA, 2013). According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013) the disorder must include either a manic or a depressive type specifier. Also, in writing out the diagnosis the health care professional must include if the disturbance is the initial episode or one of numerous episodes (APA, 2013). Health care professionals must also identify if the

I am Mr. Ratchawong. I am a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. My specialist field is psychotic disorders, an area within which I have worked over the past few years. Full details of my qualifications entitling me to give expert opinion and evidence are set out at the end of this report.

2011). Varcarolis et al. 2006 describe positive symptoms of schizophrenia as ‘florid psychotic symptoms’ ‘as they capture attention’. Cognitive deficits lay primarily within the domains of memory and language affecting mood and behaviour (Elder et al. 2009). Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations and sever thought process disturbances and have an acute onset (Elder et al. 2009).Varcarolis, Carson and Shoemaker (2006) state that a patient experiencing a delusion is convinced that what they perceive is real and consequently the patients thinking often reflects feelings of great fear, isolation and trust issues. Additionally Elder et al. (2009) state that cognitive deficits are considered psychotic symptoms and that behaviours, perceptions and beliefs shown in a person having an exacerbation of schizophrenia are not consistent with normal human experience.

Psychosis is a symptom included in many psychological diseases. In the premature stages of psychoses, it is problematic to diagnose the patient with a specific type of psychosis.