In: Psychology
Christy was referred to the school social worker due to high absenteeism. When the social worker made a home visit, Christy’s mother stated that her daughter’s absences resulted from Christy’s frequent complaints of feeling sick to her stomach. The mother disclosed that Christy had been involved in a bicycle accident more than two years ago, resulting in a separation of her cartilage from the ribcage when her chest hit the handle bars. Due to this painful condition, Christy missed more than a month of school and subsequently had to repeat the third grade.
Christy’s mother enrolled her in a private school for that year. Christy re-enrolled at her home school this year; however, her friends are all in the next grade level. Since the accident, Christy often complains of not feeling well. She is very thin, and her teacher has noticed that her lunch is often left on her plate, barely touched. At home, Christy is often irritable and moody. She doesn’t seem to have much interest in doing anything. The family is under considerable financial strain and lived with extended family until recently. Christy has had to share a bedroom with her younger sister, who is in the same grade as Christy. They do not get along.
Last week, after a brutal argument with her sister, Christy ran out of the house crying and saying she was going to kill herself. Her mother wondered if she was doing this just to get attention, because she did not believe that someone as young as Christy could actually be depressed.She was hoping Christy would just get over it.
in 100 words
What are the risk and protective factors identified? Rate the level of symptoms that Christy presents for suicide or self-harm.
Please use references and citations
The predictors for depression include poor health or disability, traumatic event, lifestyle change , family disintegration. Christy had a minor accident wherein she suffered injuries and is still recovering from it. She is experiencing constant pain which is a high predictor for depression. Also her family is experiencing financial constraints due to which Christy is not able to live her life comfortably. In all, Christy has experienced a traumatic event, is in constant pain and does not have a good family relationship and declining friendship. Thus Christy is highly vulnerable in developing depression.
The protective factor in Christy’s case is the concern and support from her mother.
Although Christy has not engaged in any suicide attempt or self-harm behaviors, she had an episode wherein she threatened to commit suicide. Given Christy’s condition, she could be highly vulnerable for suicide. Her social life is poor; she is not attending school thus not looking forward to building a good future, has lost interest in friends and is not having good relationship with her family. Thus Christy is not showing any signs of positivity or happiness, she seems to have lost interest in everything and nothing seems to be going in her way. Although she has not displayed any obvious signs of suicide, she may be highly vulnerable.