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1. Presenting Concern (5 points) This is the client’s chief complaint and symptoms. Be sure to include what the client (or the referring health professional) states is the reason for their coming into therapy. If/when you are interviewing a client directly, do not summarize their concerns using technical terminology unless the client does. Rather, put down exactly what the client says. 2. DSM Diagnosis and Rationale (10 points) Include the name, diagnostic code, and the reasoning behind your decision to issue this diagnosis. 3. Differential Diagnosis, Including Justification (7 points) Indicate the other possible diagnoses that are appropriate to consider for the condition you have identified. Explain why your selected diagnosis is the most appropriate and why you ruled out other relevant diagnostic options. 4. Organization and Clarity of Writing (3 points) Included in this category (as an element of organization) is the explicit identification of which elements of the case study belong under which component, which should be achieved by the use of section headers. Be sure to include your name and date on all papers. Cover pages, running heads, and page numbers are not required, but may be included. Section headers are required, and points will be deducted if they are missing.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
This assignment is about understanding and presenting a client’s mental health case in a detailed manner. You will work through various aspects of the case, focusing on gathering information, forming a diagnosis, considering differential diagnoses, and organizing your writing. Let’s break it down step by step!
1. Presenting Concern (5 points)
What is this part about? This is where you describe exactly what the client (or the referring health professional) says about their reason for seeking therapy. This section is not about using technical language. Instead, you must use the client’s own words or, if you’re the one interviewing, paraphrase their concerns in simple, clear language.
How to approach it:
- Listen carefully to what the client says during the interview.
- Write down the exact phrases or quotes they use.
- Focus on their symptoms or problems. For example: “I’m feeling very anxious and can’t sleep,” or “I have been arguing a lot with my partner.”
2. DSM Diagnosis and Rationale (10 points)
What is this part about? In this section, you will assign a diagnosis based on the client’s concerns and symptoms. Use the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to identify the disorder, then provide reasoning to justify why you believe this is the correct diagnosis.
How to approach it:
- After reviewing the client’s symptoms, identify the diagnosis that fits best from the DSM-5.
- For example, if the client reports ongoing feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and lack of energy, you might diagnose Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
- Include the diagnostic code (e.g., F32.9 for Major Depressive Disorder) from the DSM-5.
- Justify your diagnosis with specific examples from the presenting concern. For instance, explain how the client’s anxiety or depressive symptoms match the criteria for the diagnosis.
3. Differential Diagnosis, Including Justification (7 points)
What is this part about? You need to consider other possible diagnoses that could explain the client’s symptoms. This is called a differential diagnosis. Then, explain why you ruled them out and why your primary diagnosis is the best fit.
How to approach it:
- Look at other potential diagnoses based on the client’s symptoms.
- For example, if a client presents with sadness and low energy, possible differential diagnoses might include Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Adjustment Disorder.
- Justify why these diagnoses are less likely. Perhaps the client doesn’t have the chronic worry typical of anxiety or the clear life stressors characteristic of Adjustment Disorder.
- Compare and contrast the possible diagnoses, and explain why your primary diagnosis is the most appropriate.
4. Organization and Clarity of Writing (3 points)
What is this part about? This section evaluates how well your paper is organized. Your writing should be clear, and each section should be labeled correctly to show where each part of the case study begins.
How to approach it:
- Use section headers for each part of the paper (Presenting Concern, DSM Diagnosis, Differential Diagnosis).
- Keep your writing clear and organized. Each section should flow logically from one to the next.
- Proofread your paper to make sure your ideas are presented in a structured way.
Additional Tips:
- Provide evidence for every diagnosis. For example, describe the client’s symptoms in detail and explain how they fit the diagnostic criteria.
- Use simple, non-technical language when describing the client’s concerns, unless they use clinical terms themselves.
- Make sure your paper has section headers that help organize the content logically.
By following these steps, you will be able to present the client’s case in a clear and structured way, accurately diagnosing their issue while considering other possibilities. This will set you up for a solid and well-organized paper!
Good luck – you’ve got this!