Community Mental Health
The essay is to be in your own words as a human service professional evaluating a case. No citations or reference section required for these two essays.
Question 1
Case Study Details
Lauren is a 26-year-old African-American woman who presents with a history of non-suicidal self-injury, specifically cutting her arms and legs, since she was a teenager. She has made two suicide attempts by overdosing on prescribed medications, one as a teenager and one six months ago; she also reports chronic suicidal ideation, explaining that it gives her relief to think about suicide as a, way out.
When she is stressed, Lauren says that she often zones out, even in the middle of conversations or while at work. She states, I dont know who Lauren really is, and describes a longstanding pattern of changing her hobbies, style of clothing, and sometimes even her job based on who is in her social group. At times, she thinks that her partner is the best thing thats ever happened to me and will impulsively buy lavish gifts, send caring text messages, and the like; however, at other times she admits to thinking I cant stand being in this relationship!, and will ignore or lash out at her partner, including yelling or throwing things. Immediately after doing so, she reports feeling regret and extreme panic at the thought of her partner leaving her. Lauren reports that before she began dating her current partner she sometimes engaged in sexual activity with multiple people per week, often with partners whom she did not know. She recently saw a psychiatrist who did not prescribe any medication, but informed her she is experiencing symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder.
READ ALL BEFORE RESPONDING:
Your essay is to be about Laurens mental health and how community mental health can be of service.
1. Introduction paragraph including Laurens basic information; theme (last) sentence.
2. Some would misdiagnosis Lauren as having bipolar I disorder, but she does not exhibit symptoms of this disorder. In your essay, explain why you believe the psychiatrist was correct in the psychiatric evaluation of her having borderline personality disorder, including why she does not have bi-polar disorder.
3. What treatment would you recommend for Laurens symptoms? Explain the type of treatment, how it could be helpful, as well as the counselors guidance/role that could help Lauren.
4. What could be some reasons why community mental health treatment wont work with someone with Laurens diagnosis? What complications could develop if this condition is not treated? How could it impact Laurens well-being? Relationships?
Question 2
Case Study Details
Shelly is concerned about her friend BFF Megan. No matter what they talk about the conversation always turns to weight, diet, etc. Megan has gone from working out 3-4 days a week to 7 days a week, sometimes even twice a day. Megan is always talking about how fat she is even though it seems she has lost weight. It is hard to tell how much since her clothes now appear baggy. Shelly noticed Megan keeps a bottle of laxatives in her locker.
Yesterday, Megan fainted in chemistry class and was evaluated in the local emergency room, and the psychiatric on duty diagnosed her as having anorexia nervosa. Tests report she is physically stable. Prior to her release, the hospital social worker did an evaluation and referred her to a local out-patient counseling center that accepts her health insurance.
READ ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE RESPONDING:
Your essay is to be about Megans mental health and how community mental health can be of service.
1. Introduction paragraph including client information; theme sentence.
2. Some would misdiagnosis Megan as having anorexia-bulimia disorder, but she does not exhibit symptoms of this disorder. In your essay, explain why you believe the psychiatrist was correct in the psychiatric evaluation, including why she does not have anorexia-bulimia.
4. What specific treatment would you recommend for Megan? Explain the type of treatment, how it could be helpful, as well as the counselors guidance/role to help Megan.
5. What could be some reasons why the treatment wont work? What complications could develop if this condition is not treated. (Hint: How could it impact Megans well-being in terms of mental health? Physical health? Education?) Explain all.
