Mental/Behavior Case Studies

Mental/Behavioral Case Studies
My 57-year-old client, Mr. Speed, has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At this time, he seems to be in the early stage of the disease, and I feel that he would benefit from medication and therapy. He lives with his wife, and both of them are employed full time. He would like to continue working and living life to the fullest. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a brain disease that progressively destroys thinking skills and memory. Although the cause of this disease is unknown, researchers believe that the accumulation of the protein amyloid in the brain may contribute to its onset. Although most individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 years of age and older, it is not uncommon to develop the disease at a younger age, like my client, Mr. Speed. Early-onset Alzheimer’s has been known to affect people in their 50’s. Patients affected by the disease experience symptoms such as confusion, poor judgment, mood swings, and personality changes. They also have problems speaking, writing, understanding speech, and recognizing familiar sights and sounds. There are several stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but not every patient progresses at the same rate. In the beginning, patients may experience memory lapses. Later, they may forget important details, such as the names of friends and family members, where they placed a valuable item, or recent events. Eventually, they become confused, withdrawn, and unable to perform daily activities, including getting dressed, using the toilet, and eating. In the final stage of this disease, patients need daily care because they lose the ability to function on their own.
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, proper medication and care may help slow or delay the symptoms. However, cultural differences may