Abstract
Dana is an 18-year-old college freshman from South Carolina, raised in a high-achieving family where law and medicine were strongly encouraged. Majoring in pre-med, she performs well academically but feels overwhelmed, anxious, and persistently sad, questioning whether she chose the right path. She copes with stress through cycles of overeating, intense fear of weight gain, and excessive exercise.
After collapsing at the campus gym, medical tests reveal physical complications linked to disordered eating. Based on these findings and reports from her roommate, Dana is diagnosed with bulimia. Her parents are notified, and the physician recommends a medical leave of absence to address both her health concerns and eating disorder, noting that their Aetna insurance provides access to multiple treatment options.
The case manager, the client, their support system, and collaterals are essential team members in the meeting to help empower Dana. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of involving Dana’s support system in her treatment, identifying the members of her support system and their roles, and strategies for maintaining open communication with the support system. During the meeting, the team will review Dana’s treatment plan, discuss any challenges or concerns related to her care, and brainstorm strategies for supporting her ongoing recovery. The meeting will be structured to encourage collaboration and ensure everyone works together to support Dana’s recovery.
Introduction
In this meeting, the team members will discuss the case of Dana, an 18-year-old college student diagnosed with bulimia, and strategies for maintaining the support system’s open communication. Jain and Yilanli (2021) show that bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by overeating and inappropriate weight loss measures. The condition has impacted Dana’s social and academic functioning and physical and mental well-being.
It is crucial to identify Dana’s treatment plan, address any difficulties or issues with her care, and develop ideas for aiding her ongoing rehabilitation during the meeting. Promoting teamwork and ensuring everyone contributes to her recovery is essential. This essay will cover the significance of including Dana’s support network in her treatment, the individuals in her support network and their functions, and techniques for keeping lines of communication open with the support network.
Background Information
Dana’s parents are successful professionals; her father is an attorney, and her mom works in advertising. She is the youngest of three siblings who have made notable contributions to society. Her parents urged her to study medicine rather than law, but she ultimately decided on the latter.
However, she is terrified by the prospect of medical school applications and residency. The only thing that helps Dana cope with her constant stress is eating. She exercises constantly and has bulimic episodes where she binges and then purges.
Dana had been up virtually all night bingeing and vomiting, so she decided to work out at the university gym. She had only been on the treadmill for a few minutes when she fainted and had to be taken to the hospital. Doctors discovered deterioration of her front tooth enamel, an inflamed esophagus, and an electrolyte imbalance in her blood.
After further evaluation, Dana was diagnosed with bulimia. Physical health complications, such as electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal disorders, and cardiac problems, may develop if bulimia is not treated (Jain & Yilanli, 2021). Depression, anxiety, and acts of self-harm are just some of the negative mental health outcomes that might occur.
Receiving the support she needs to deal with her bulimia may be complicated by certain possible obstacles. Given that her family has good health insurance via Aetna, receiving financial aid may not be an issue. However, depending on the availability of treatment choices in her region, waitlists and transportation problems may be problematic. Additionally, her mother first denied that there was an issue, and Dana may feel reluctant to ask for assistance. It may be necessary to encourage her to take a medical leave from school in order to seek treatment for her bulimia.
The treatment team in the meeting comprises the case manager, the client, their support system, and other collaterals involved in the client’s care. As the leader of the group, the case manager is in charge of organizing team activities and fostering effective communication among team members. The client is also a crucial team component and is getting services. Any family members or friends who help with the client’s care make up the client’s support system. Collaterals are other experts or organizations that the client and case manager contact for more assistance and resources.
Input from Group Members
When creating and evaluating treatment plans, the case manager needs to consider the client’s perspective. Dana provides valuable details about their requirements, preferences, and objectives, enabling services to be tailored to the client’s needs. The viewpoint of the client’s support network, which may include family members and friends, might be just as important as that of the client.Their knowledge of the client’s past, preferences, and support requirements can help plan therapy.
The case manager’s work involves a lot of networking and working with collaterals. Collateral input can help determine the client’s needs, identify the best providers, and coordinate treatment. Examples of collaterals include medical professionals, social workers, and therapists.
Assessment of Client Needs
The collateral, Dana’s doctor, provided valuable information that helped diagnose her condition. In the meeting, the doctor stated that he performed a medical examination and blood tests and discovered an electrolyte imbalance, enamel degradation in her front teeth, and an irritated esophagus. He reported speaking with Dana’s roommate to learn more about her food habits. This information aided in the confirmation of the bulimia diagnosis and the identification of the psychological causes of Dana’s disease, such as her anxiety. To comprehend Dana’s support system and potential sources of stress, the doctor spoke with her about her family background and social environment.
In the meeting, the doctor reported that Dana was to take a medical leave of absence from school to deal with her eating disorder and other health issues. Finally, the doctor advised Dana and her parents on health insurance options to ensure she received the best care. Dana might benefit from the assistance of her family and other social networks in controlling her condition and upholding her general well-being.
The social worker’s support system was present in the meeting and stated that she could assist Dana in effectively recovering. She emphasized that Dana’s desire to participate in therapy and cultural concerns might impact the effectiveness of her treatment plan. It is essential to take into account cultural influences that could affect her perceptions of mental health and therapeutic interventions, along with her family’s perspectives on requesting support. The social worker advised that healthcare professionals may continue to communicate and work together to ensure the treatment plan is customized to her particular requirements and circumstances.
Recommended Services and Referrals
During the meeting, the doctor discussed the services recommended for Dana to address her physical and mental health needs, as well as her vocational planning. Therapy and counselling were the types of mental health therapies that might help her overcome the psychological causes of her disease. The doctor stressed that Dana required medical help to fix the electrolyte imbalances and tooth problems resulting from bulimia. In addition to relieving stress, vocational planning may help her discover satisfying work that uses her unique talents and interests.
The doctor advised the family to consult with a gastroenterologist or a dietitian to help address her eating habits and a psychiatrist to address her compulsive eating and anxiety. The case manager recommended that Dana visit a career counselor to determine what she wants to do with her life and how to achieve her goals. If these services are coordinated, she will be more likely to receive all-encompassing care, considering her health and well-being.
In the meeting, the doctor advised Dana to use several resources for her psychological and physiological well-being and career development. Bulimic patients may benefit from mental health therapies, such as therapy or counseling, to deal with the emotional issues at the root of their disease (Pietrabissa et al., 2019). Her bulimia has had serious bodily repercussions, including electrolyte imbalances and tooth degradation, which require medical attention. A career counsellor may help her find work that uses her strengths and interests and alleviate some of the pressure of making a significant life choice.
Handling any issues that could arise when Dana is referred is crucial. The doctor also emphasized the family’s challenges when seeking healthcare. He stated that it might be difficult for those seeking assistance when there are waitlists for certain mental health professionals or treatment centers.
It could be beneficial in this situation to tell Dana and her family of any potential alternatives or services they might have access to. The family members agreed to support Diana in providing transportation, especially if Dana has to go to a facility for treatment or often schedules therapy visits. A counsellor was in the meeting and said she would help advise the client to accept her bulimia nervosa diagnosis.
Collaboration with Support System
It is essential for Dana’s rehabilitation that her support network be included in the therapeutic process. Chatzittofis et al. (2021) showed that a support system is crucial in assisting patients with various mental health challenges. Managing eating disorders may be complicated, but Dana may find the emotional and practical help she needs to advance if she has a good support system. The case manager advised that Dana may benefit from her family and friends’ inspiration and support as she works toward her recovery objectives. The social worker stated that any underlying family problems that could be causing Dana’s eating disorder can be addressed with the aid of the support network.
Parents, siblings, close friends, and maybe anyone significant to Dana make up her support network. Park and Lee (2022) show that parental and social support are crucial in helping mental health patients avoid depression. In the meeting, Dana’s parents could coordinate her financial arrangements, insurance coverage, and medical visits.
The case manager emphasized to the parents that siblings and friends nearby may help Dana stay socially active and provide emotional support. Each person in Dana’s support system has to be aware of her disease, the course of her therapy, and the best ways to help her through her recovery. Updates on Dana’s development and any difficulties she may have can be given via frequent check-ins with family and friends. Carbonell et al. (2020) emphasize that maintaining transparent and consistent communication with the support system is vital to ensure all parties work toward shared goals. The case manager stressed that it is crucial to address any possible concerns around confidentiality or privacy to preserve confidence and ensure that Dana receives quality care from the support system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dana’s bulimia diagnosis demonstrates the importance of early identification and treatment for eating disorders. It is essential to evaluate Dana’s treatment plan, identify any challenges related to her care, and develop strategies for her ongoing rehabilitation. Encouraging collaboration and active participation from all team members in Dana’s recovery is essential.
Dana requires assistance in multiple domains, including accessing healthcare and treatment options, receiving medical care, and obtaining psychological support. It is essential to consider cultural factors that may shape her views on mental health and therapy, as well as her family’s attitudes toward seeking help. The recommended services for Dana include medical care, mental health therapies, and vocational planning, which must be tailored to her specific needs and circumstances.
References
Carbonell, Á., Navarro‐Pérez, J., & Mestre, M. (2020). Challenges and barriers in mental healthcare systems and their impact on the family: A systematic integrative review. Health & Social Care in the Community, 28(5), 1366–1379. Web.
Chatzittofis, A., Constantinidou, A., Artemiadis, A., Michailidou, K., & Karanikola, M. N. K. (2021). The role of perceived organizational support in mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. Web.
Jain, A., & Yilanli, M. (2021). Bulimia nervosa. StatPearls. Web.
Park, G.-A., & Lee, O. N. (2022). The moderating effect of social support on parental stress and depression in mothers of children with disabilities. Occupational Therapy International, 2022, 1–8. Web.
Pietrabissa, G., Castelnuovo, G., Jackson, J. B., Rossi, A., Manzoni, G. M., & Gibson, P. (2019). Brief strategic therapy for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder: A clinical and research protocol. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1–7. Web.