Signs and Symptoms
As reported, Katie’s romantic breakup with her boyfriend was a major disappointment. The interview report reveals that this negative life event was the initial stressor that motivated her later actions. The 22-year-old girl felt weighted down by her studies and homesick, which exacerbated her initial feelings of rejection. As a result, she blamed herself over what happened, felt helpless and could not cope effectively with this event, which motivated her to attempt suicide.
DSM-IV-TR Diagnosis
The symptoms and signs identified are characteristic of a mood disorder. The “feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to think properly and suicidal attempts” (APA, 2000, p. 325) based indicate a bipolar disorder (code 296.56). Katie manifested feelings of abandonment and nostalgia, inability to cope with her class work and the attempted suicide suggest feelings of helplessness, which indicate a “Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed, In Full Remission” (APA, 2000, p. 328).
Explanation
Katie’s manifests feelings of depression. She feels unlovable, nostalgic and worthless, and displays a lack of interest in daily activities. These are symptoms of depression, which motivated her to attempt suicide. Her recent suicide attempt was planned (an overdose on pills and a suicide note) and thus, meets the DSM criteria for “a major depressive episode in full remission” (APA, 2000, p. 328). Katie’s poor self-perception (unlovable, inadequate and helpless) and negative perception of her school as overly demanding are characteristic of depression.
Conclusion
Although Katie shows symptoms of a mood disorder (bipolar disorder I), she displays no manic or mixed episodes. This eliminates manic depressive disorders and psychosis as likely diagnoses. The DSM criteria for a depressed mood include “lack of interest in daily activities, worthlessness or guilt and suicidal thoughts” (APA, 2000, p. 324). Therefore, her romantic breakup, feelings of homesickness, disaffection and planned suicide indicate a depressive episode in full remission.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association [APA]. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: APA.