Social Work Assessment Paper

Borderline personality disorder was used to diagnose clients who didn’t fit into commonly diagnosed disorders. “The term ‘borderline’

The use of the term borderline has however, resulted in a heated controversy between the health care fraternity and patients. Patients argue that this term appears to be somehow discriminatory and that it should be removed and the disorder renamed. Patients point out that an alternative name, such as emotionally unstable personality disorder, should be adopted instead of borderline personality disorder. Clinicians, on the other hand, argue that there is nothing wrong with the use of the term borderline. Opponents of this term argue that the terms used to describe persons suffering from this disorder, such as demanding, treatment resistant, and difficult among others, are discriminatory. These terms may create a negative feeling of health professionals towards patients, an aspect that may lead to adoption of negative responses that may trigger self-destructive behavior (Giesen-Bloo et al, 2006). The fact however, is that the term borderline has been misunderstood and misused so much that any attempt to redefine it is pointless leaving scrapping the term as the only option.

A typical day for a social worker consists of helping those that are in need, providing appropriate resources, and empowering their clients. Before a social worker can help their clients, they will need to do an assessment. An assessment consists of learning about the individual and their everyday lives. According to Timberlake, Zajicek-Farber, and Sabatino (2008), “The client system and the social worker conduct an assessment of problems, needs, strengths, and resources; establish priorities and goals; and reach agreement about the preintervention date-collection activities necessary to provide a baseline for evaluating change” (p. 79). It is important for the social worker to collect all this information because it will provide insight on

With a master 's level education in social work, I see myself envisioning clients’ health and well-being. As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificates in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through counselling for victims of trauma.

As I observed the N.A. group, I compared Hepworth 's, Direct Social Work Practice, five stages of group development. The Preaffiliation stage involves observation and feeling out the environment of the group; members may be hesitant to speak or test out certain behaviors to see reactions from other members of the group or the facilitator (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, 2013). Returning group members greeted each other with hugs, handshakes, pat on the back, while newcomers sat quietly observing others. The facilitator provided an introduction and instructions for participation. Each member was instructed to introduce the first name, state "I am an addict" and take turns reading from the

In order to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a patient must show “impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning and the presence of pathological personality traits”, all of which are listed in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (2013). According to the DSM V, a patient must have an identity disorder which includes having “unstable self-image, often associated with excessive self-criticism” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A patient must also demonstrate impairments in empathy, which involves a “compromised ability to recognize the feelings and needs of others associated with interpersonal hypersensitivity” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This criterion does not mean

As social workers, it is important to study the entire aspect of the individual. We must examine the individual past and see if their condition is trauma-related. It is the job of the social worker to identify the issue, in this case it would be a person who suffers from a mental illness and is placed in isolation when in jail or person and find the best solution for that issue. The solution to the issue may not be what’s written in a handbook or what we were thought, but sometimes we must find alternate resolutions. While we may not have the answers to combat the issue; if as social workers we could find the root cause of the issue that may help in the intervention process.

Borderline personality disorder can include many aspects: instability in mood regulation, impulse control, difficulties in interpersonal relationships and self-image. (Lieb et al, 2004) Jaynelle has experienced all of these at some time in her life. She grew up stealing from Safeway to be able to eat, uprooting her family to move with multiple boyfriends, and she overreacts when she thinks she is being slighted by social services. She is quick to anger and lashes out when provoked.

Imagine having your emotions take control over you. You feel worthless and depressed and although you know what your problems are, you are shackled to them as they twist your mind making you anxious about every little detail. And as you go into a new relationship with a good heart and love to share, these emotions consume you. Struggling to make life work you surrender to paranoia of disappointment and instead of conquering these emotions, you drive yourself into nothingness thinking it will ultimately be your saving grace. Now, you understand the mind of a person with Borderline Personality Disorder. Because many of the symptoms are psychological, this weighs a lot of pressure on the minds of BPD patients. However, it is their interpersonal

The diagnosis for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is based on symptoms which have been present since the onset of adolescence or early adulthood and appear in more than one contexts. There are not any laboratory or imaging exams that can assist with the diagnosis. A variety of structured and semi-structured interviews can help in making the diagnosis, although they frequently require specialized training to administer. The Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines – Reviser is a proven and regularly used device that is commonly considered the standard. This interview can take up to take 30–60 minutes to complete. During the interview, there are different symptomatic domains that must be examined – emotional functioning, relational functioning,

Assessment of the patient with borderline personality disorder is inclusive of the patient's: (1) physical; (2) emotional; (3) cognitive; (4) social; and (5) spiritual characteristics. These are assessed based on the patient's: (1) subjective reports; (2) interview records; and (3) behavioral

The next morning, MMM was introduced to her inpatient Psychiatrist. MM mentioned to her Psychiatrist that she had battled symptoms of depression throughout high school and had thoughts of harming herself, especially after a relationship would end. The ending of a relationship would be followed by feelings of abandonment, like the feelings she had as a child when her father left. She also expressed to her Psychiatrist that she felt that she was not loveable and that she would be alone the rest of her life. She expressed resentment towards her father for leaving, and towards her mother for making him leave. She even expressed resentment towards her ex-boyfriend, whom the recent suicide attempt was over, but stated that she would take him back in a heartbeat. In fact, she stated that she hated him, but couldn’t live without him. The Psychiatrist listened to MMM carefully, and diagnosed her with Borderline Personality Disorder. He recognized the common statement made by those with Borderline: “I hate you, please don’t leave me”.

Supervision in social work is defined by Barker (1999) as an administrative and educational process used extensively in social agencies to help social workers further develop and refine their skills, enhance staff morale, and provide quality assurance for the clients. The short term objective of supervision is to provide workers with the work structure and agency resources which help to increase workers knowledge and skills to do their jobs effectively and professionally. The long term objective of supervision is to provide clients the most efficient service possible, consistent with agency policies and procedures.

My placement is at Gateway Youth in Elmont. Gateway is a prevention program specializing in working with youth between the ages of 5-17 who are in conflict with their family, in need of academic or emotional support, or who are involved in the juvenile court system. Services provided include case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy with the schools, court, and community. As a social work intern, I am placed at Gotham Ave Elementary School working with third graders. At this school, Gateway Youth provides an after-school program for students that need supervision with their homework and inclusion in activities before their parents can pick them up.

A helping profession is one that nurtures the growth of or addresses the problems of a person's physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual well-being.