Psychological Disorder Analysis
Telana Graham
PSY/270

Chris Shreve

Psychological Disorder Analysis Maria is a 42-year old female who has come to the mental health clinic complaining of several symptoms, she believes is causing her distress. The symptoms Maria is experiencing include having trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy all of the time, and an inability to concentrate. She feels that these symptoms are the cause of her inability to concentrate at work. It is obvious that a concern for Maria’s employment has brought her to the mental health clinic to help her with these issues. Maria’s symptoms require further analysis to reach a diagnostic conclusion as her symptoms are apparent in the criteria of a variety of disorders, to include, post traumatic stress disorder, certain panic disorders, and major depression. Maria will be observed, and a complete assessment of her will be concluded. Once the assessment is complete a diagnosis will be made and a complete and effective treatment plan will be administered. What will also be included by the attending therapists is the diagnosis, along with the possible causes, names of treatment, and a copy of the treatment plan. The clinical interview is the beginning point for Maria and how she answers the interview questions applies to the analysis and diagnosis of her issues. The questions asked during Maria’s interview are as follows: 1. Why do you feel the need to seek therapy? 2. What do you expect to gain from your therapy sessions? 3. How was your relationship with your family as a child versus how it is currently? 4. How have you been during intimate relationships? 5. Have you ever experienced a panic attack and if so, what usually triggers it? 6. Give me one memory that makes you happy and why? 7. Is there any history of depression or suicide in your family? 8. Is there any history of violence between yourself and others or that you have personally witnessed? 9. When you are in a relationship do they usually last, if not then why? 10. Do you have issues with commitment and if so, why do you feel this way? Once the clinical interview is complete a diagnosis is then given to Maria based on the answers to the questions asked. Having taken Maria’s answers into consideration, it is determined that Maria suffers from dysthymic disorder. People with dysthymia experience a chronic low level of depression that reduces their ability to function and persist on a daily basis for at least two years. People with dysthymia often report experiencing unhappy and have a difficult time remembering if they ever were. They also experience sleep and appetite disturbances, low self-esteem, and low energy. Low energy can cause them to neglect their responsibilities, which can lead them to losing their job or can cause their relationship to end. Dysthymia also causes changes in a persons thinking, feeling, and physical wellbeing. Many individuals have problems with concentrating and short term memory. They can feel sad for no apparent reason and rarely take pleasure in activities. Dysthymic disorder shares many of the same symptoms as major depression. Both disorders involve sleep difficulties, shyness and social withdrawal, poor performance at work or school, irritability, and conflict with family and friends. The main difference between the two has to do with the intensity and the duration of the depression symptoms. With someone that has major depression the symptoms are more severe. They experience thoughts of death or suicide and are unable to get out of bed. With dysthymia on the other hand, symptoms are less severe. The individual is still able to function on a somewhat higher level, for example they will be able to get out of bed and watch television or even leave the house. A second major difference is the duration of the disorders. For a diagnosis to be significant with major depression, the symptoms have to be persistent for at least two weeks whereas with dysthymic disorder the symptoms have to persist for at least two years. Two or more of the following symptoms has to be present in order for a person to be diagnosed with this disorder: poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. Maria definitely has two of the symptoms listed above. She is unable to concentrate and has trouble sleeping. At least three-quarters of people with dysthymia have some type of psychiatric or mental disorder as well. In a condition known as double depression, individuals suffer from both major depression and dysthymia at the same time. Its origin comes from the word “thalamus” and “thyroid”. Dysthymia affects three to five percent of the population and occurs more frequently in women than in men. In dysthymia, the depressed mood drains all of the pleasure out of a person’s life and only relents for a day or two. The symptoms may disappear for a month or two every couple of years but usually return. Dysthymia often begins earlier in life than major depression, and it can appear to be a personality trait. Since a diagnosis has been given for Maria’s symptoms, treatment for her disorder needs to be administered. There are a number of different approaches for the treatment of dysthymic disorder. The best treatment approach for dysthymia is a combination of psychotherapy in conjunction with antidepressant medication. Psychotherapy approaches for this disorder vary widely. Short-term approaches for Maria are preferred because they emphasize realistic and attainable goals in her life. This can bring Maria back to her normal level of functioning. Group therapy also can be considered a course of treatment for Maria. A group can be more supportive than any one therapist and can help point out inconsistencies in her thinking and behavior. Progress with any type of therapy can be slow because the treatment will have to move at Maria’s pace. Antidepressants in conjunction with psychotherapy tend to help those with dysthymic disorder. A variety of antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medication for chronic depression. Medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Luvox can be provided for Maria as a course of treatment. The treatment approach that Maria should take will depend on factors such as her desire to address emotional or situational issues affecting her life, the severity of her dysthymic symptoms, her personal preference, her previous treatment methods if any, her ability to tolerate medications, and whether or not her health insurance will cover her treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also very useful in treating dysthymia. This therapy is directed at the person’s specific anxieties and tailored to his or her needs. This may even be more effective than medication because there are no side effects other than the discomfort of temporarily increased anxiety. Maria came into the medical clinic seeking help for her loss of sleep, her inability to concentrate, and her having frequent feelings of jumpiness and being at risk of loosing her job. She was given a clinical interview where she answered a number of questions about her life and background. From those questions asked a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder was given to Maria even though she shares some of the same symptoms as major depression. A combination of psychotherapy and medication was suggested for Maria as form of treatment. Dysthymia starts early on and Maria may have gotten used to her symptoms and just assumed she had to put up with them until it became too much for her to handle on her own. Since Maria is struggling with dysthymia she is also at risk for developing major depression, substance abuse problems, and heart disease. Most people can recover from dysthymic disorder altogether or over a period of time. With continued treatment, by way of psychotherapy, medication, or both, and individual such as Maria can lead a normal and healthy life. For those who do not, continued therapy and treatment can help the individual learn to cope with their symptoms and remain fully functional in today’s society. As long as Maria stays dedicated to her therapy sessions and continues with her treatment she also will be able to sleep at night, maintain healthy professional and personal relationships, and be rid of her daily feelings of jumpiness. Dysthymic disorder, like many disorders can be a massive disruption in anyone’s life. However with proper treatment and the ability to cope with one’s symptoms anyone can come to terms with their disorder and live long healthy lives.

References
Faces of Abnormal Psychology. (2007, Spring). Retrieved from http://mhhe.com/socscience/psychology/faces/bigvid.swf
PsychCentral. (June 24, 2012). Retrieved from http:/ /psychcentral.com/lib/2008/dysthymia-treatment/