Schizophrenia Diagnostic Assessment Essay

Major Psychiatric Disorder(s): F20.9 Schizophrenia

The client’s behavior is not adequate for a regular and healthy person. She met criteria A because she lives in her own world and does not understand what happens in reality. The patient always talks about the grave that she lies in when staying in bed. She met criteria B because her thoughts were pointless (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Susan also has a weak memory because she always tries to recall some events that did not happen to her. Perhaps, she remembers unreal things because she experienced them in her mind. She met criteria C because she asked questions that did not relate to the conversation topic (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is possible to see that the patient has schizophrenia because she cannot concentrate on a single subject. The client’s thoughts are always changing. Moreover, her world perception and understanding of the environment do not correspond to reality. All the symptoms described above prove that the person is mentally challenged and cannot consciously communicate with other individuals.

Developmental Disorder(s): F73 Intellectual Disability, Profound

As is mentioned above, the client does not understand or is not able to see the original appearance of objects and people around her. The patient’s virtual reality makes everything different. Susan’s brain does not work properly as the information it receives is wrong or distorted. Also, the woman does not comprehend other individuals’ words. Perhaps, she cannot process or analyze different sounds logically. She met criteria A because she was scared and murdered hundreds of people (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This statement proved that the client could not consciously orient herself in discussions and life in general.

Personality Disorder(s): F21 Schizotypal Personality Disorder

The client has a schizotypal personality disorder. She met criteria A because she had odd thinking and skills. The patient’s conclusions and questions are impossible to support or answer. Moreover, she always wants to call a counselor to arrest or stop her from committing crimes because of the supernatural power Susan has. She met criteria B because she had odd beliefs and thought magic exists (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These thoughts influence the person’s behavior that can be claimed antisocial or abnormal.

Medical Disorder(s): No Diagnosis

The patient does not know anything about her medical history. Susan visits the doctor whenever she is told to do it.

Client Strengths

1. The client has positive thoughts about such holidays as Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
2. The client thinks that she is ageless and has lived since ancient times.
3. The client does not use any medications.
4. The client understands that being in the “grave” is not a positive thing.
5. The client wants to stop her “supernatural power” by calling the counselor.
6. The client strives to communicate. However, her attempts are not successful.
7. The client understands that destroying the counselor’s office is not the right thing to do.
8. The client expresses her thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, her activities and communication methods are limited.

Comments/Differential Diagnosis

When the client was not answering the questions properly, such diagnoses as F80.2 Language Disorder and F80.0 Speech Sound Disorder were considered (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The woman could not structure sentences appropriately. Therefore, her speech was undefined and seemed to be strange at first. However, these issues were not selected as the interview showed that the reason for her poor and inappropriate language stemmed from the patient’s mental disorders. Also, the diagnosis F06.2 Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition With Delusions was considered during the examination (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Nevertheless, it was not selected because the client said that she did not know anything about her physical health conditions. It would be proper to say that this disorder might be chosen in the given case. However, there is no evidence for this at the present moment. Perhaps, it is necessary to consult the woman’s doctor and analyze how her medical history records might influence mental defects and odd behavior. Usually, such a condition might be caused by severe skull or brain traumas.

Reference

American Psychiatric Association. (Ed.). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.