question archive Determine the most likely diagnosis for each case
Determine the most likely diagnosis for each case
Subject:PsychologyPrice: Bought3
Determine the most likely diagnosis for each case. Be prepared to substantiate your diagnosis based on the number and nature of symptoms, timeframe, and other factors. What modifications to the case would be needed in order to change the diagnosis to another disorder?
Joe: A 19-year-old college freshman spends an afternoon drinking beer in a bar with fraternity brothers. After 8 or 10 glasses, he becomes argumentative with a bigger companion and suggests that they step outside and fight. Normally a quiet, unaggressive person, he now speaks in a loud voice and challenges the larger man to fight with him for no apparent reason. When he gets up to approach the larger man, he loses his balance and falls to the floor. When the fight does not develop, he becomes morose and spends long periods looking into his beer glass about to cry.
Carl: A 32-year-old man began to drink heavily after he was honorably discharged from the military. He has been drinking very heavily and nearly continually for the past 10 years, with blackouts, frequent arrests for public intoxication, and injuries in barroom brawls. He has received 3 DUIs and has lost several jobs due to drinking. He has been unable to reduce or stop drinking. Whenever he starts to "dry out," he feels anxious, nauseous, and has hand tremors - so he starts drinking again to alleviate these experiences.
Otto: A 42-year-old businessman started using amphetamines two months ago to maintain alertness late at night because of an increasing amount of work. He cannot manage to complete everything during the day, so he needs "help" to work late. When he is on the drug, his heart races and he has trouble sitting still. He also experiences chills, nausea, and confusion. Otto's job of 10 years is in jeopardy because he mishandled some business situations while under the influence.
Sybil: Lou is upset because his wife, Sybil, smoked marijuana and is "freaking out." Sybil is lying on the couch looking quite anxious. She said she feels dizzy, her heart is racing, and she can feel her blood rushing through her veins. She keeps asking for water because her mouth is so dry she cannot swallow. She also complains of being very hungry. Sybil's previous physical exams indicate that there is no medical explanation for these symptoms except the cannabis use.
Al: A 39-year-old restaurant owner, is referred to a private outpatient substance abuse treatment program for evaluation and treatment of a possible "cocaine problem." Al admits that he has been using cocaine, intranasally, 3-5 days a week, for at least the past year. When he arrives at work, he finds it nearly impossible to avoid thinking of the cocaine vial in his desk drawer. Although he tries to distract himself and postpone using it as long as possible, he usually snorts his first "line" within an hour of arriving at work. His efforts to cut down his use have been unsuccessful. He states that cocaine is impairing his functioning at work because of the negative effects on his memory, attention span, and attitude toward employees and customers. The aftereffects of his drug use cause him to be short-tempered, irritable, and argumentative with his wife and children, leading to numerous family problems. Even with these problems at work and home, he continues to use.
Charles: A 48-year-old male attorney has gambled on horse racing for many years. For the past couple years, his whole life revolves around his next gambling adventure. He has been losing heavily and has resorted to illegal borrowing and embezzling from his firm in order to increase his bets and win back his losses. He admits to misusing and lying to his friends and wife. They no longer have faith in his repeated promises to limit his gambling. They are also tired of "covering" his debts. He has tried many times to reduce his gambling but has been unsuccessful, stating that he becomes restless and agitated when he stops. His job and relationships are at great risk as a result of his gambling. While that is distressing, the more upset or anxious he becomes, the more likely he is to gamble.
