Description

1) Watch the news or a television show, or read a newspaper.Notice behaviors. Post a brief description of at least three behaviors you noticed. Indicate whether or not you saw these behaviors as normal or pathological and how you decided.

2) Victor, a 36-year-old computer programmer presents with the following primary concern. Victor states, “My new boss is insisting that I start working in the office. I told him that I do not intend to come in. He said I need to come see you or my job is on the line. I do not know what his problem is, but I need my job and I really do not feel like doing what it takes to find another one.”

 In the interview, Victor reports he has never been in a relationship. He explains, “I really do not get why people need to spend so much time together. I have thought of having children, but procreation seems to be the only reason that makes sense to me for people to connect in an intimate way.”

 Victor spends his free time programming and indicates he does not have friends. When asked what he does for pleasure, Victor says, “I guess I like to eat steak.” Victor visits his mother two times a year. When asked if he is close to his mother, he reports, “I guess I have some attachment to her, but I am not sure I will miss her when she is gone.” He denies any developmental delays, fixed interests, or repetitive behaviors.

 In terms of work issues, Victor indicates that he used to work in the office, but he found his colleagues “irritating.” He explained, “They weren’t there to work, they were there to socialize. I asked my old boss if I could work from home and she was fine with that. I think she was happy to get rid of me, because she was always trying to mend my relationships with my colleagues.”

 What diagnosis or diagnoses would you make? Explain how he met each criterion of the diagnosis or diagnoses. What diagnosis or diagnoses did you consider for your differential? Why did you decide to rule it or them out? What recommendations would you make for treatment?

3) Callie, a 15 year old girl, presents to your office with exasperated looking parents. After you ask the family to come back to the interview room, Callie says, “I am not going anywhere.” Callie’s parents try to encourage her to come back, but she insists on waiting in the lobby to text with a friend. Callie’s parents agree to complete the interview without her.

 Callie’s parents report Callie has been impertinent for over a year. They indicate Callie will lose her temper, even when asked a benign question. Callie’s parents explain that they have always pushed her to do her best and they wonder if they have pressured her too much. Callie’s mother laments, “Callie used to be the best at everything she did; now she refuses to do anything. She tells us she hates us and she says she wishes she could live with someone else.”

 Callie’s father reports, “Callie was perfect, she had everything. She was her teacher’s favorite. Now she argues with them constantly and she refuses to complete homework. She even swore at a teacher and got detention last week. That’s why we finally came in.”

 Her parents offer a few more examples of their concerns. They indicate that Callie does not take responsibility for anything she does and she finds a way to blame others. For example, last week Callie lost her math book. She had left it in the back of the car, but she insisted that it was her father’s fault because he distracted her by lecturing her before dropping her off at school. Additionally, Callie has sought revenge on one of her teachers who gave her a “F.” Callie broke into her teacher’s Facebook page and posted a comment that looked like it came from the teacher stating she was having an affair.

 What diagnosis or diagnoses would you make? Explain how he met each criterion of the diagnosis or diagnoses. What diagnosis or diagnoses did you consider for your differential? Why did you decide to rule it or them out? What recommendations would you make for treatment?