Question

Using the following definition to determine if the child in each case study has a mental disorder. If there’s not enough information in the case study, identify any other information you would need to determine if he or she meets the DSM-5 definition: A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress or disability in social, occupational, or other important activities. An expectable or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss, such as the death of a loved one, is not a mental disorder. Socially deviant behavior (e.g., political, religious, sexual) and conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are not mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict results from a dysfunction in the individual, as described above.

Margaret wets the bed at night. Her parents discover her wet the next morning and spend a great deal of time and energy washing her pajamas and bedding. _______________

Shawn is afraid to ride elevators. Every time he is in an elevator, he experiences intense feelings of panic. He tries to avoid elevators whenever he can. ____________________

Charlotte is a teenage girl whose father died of a heart attack. Charlotte isn’t eating or sleeping well. She can’t concentrate on her homework or activities at school. Sometimes, at night, she talks with her father about her day before she falls asleep. She also thinks a lot about death. _____________________

Jordan was slow to reach many developmental milestones, including sitting up and walking. Most striking are Jordan’s marked delays in language. He has limited vocabulary, struggles to recite the alphabet or recognize letters, and has difficulty counting. He also has problems performing self-care tasks typical of children his age, such as dressing, bathing, and grooming. ___________________

Corey is an 8-year-old boy who shows significant problems with hyperactivity and impulsiveness at home. “Corey is always on the go. Watching him tires me out,” his mother reported. Corey has difficulty remaining seated during meals, constantly fidgets with objects around the house, talks incessantly, and engages in high-rate behavior. “He’s very impulsive,” she added. _____________________

Answer 1

Answer:

1. The case study of Margaret:

By going through the case study it looks like margaret is suffering from Enuresis. This condition is characterised by consistent inability to control urination which is not consistent with one's developmental age. But the information is not enough in the case study

To be sure of this condition we would need some more information from this case study:

1. Is the child repeatedly urinating on the bed and clothes (Involuntary or intentional)

2. Is the behavior clinically significant as manifested by either a frequency of twice a week for at least 3 consecutive months or the prevelane of clinically significant distress or impairment in academic, social, occupational , or any other important areas of functioning.

3. The chronological age is atleast 5 years (or equivalent development level)

4. The behaviour is not due to some substance intake

5. The symptom is not due to a general medical condition

2. The case study of Shawn

From the case study of Shawn, we can say that he is sufffering from Claustrophobia.

Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed spaces such as elevators. This phobia usually occurs in the context of a panic disorder. Sombody who is suffering from a panic disorder can experience unpredictable sudden attacks of fear with the usual physical symptooms of fear: shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, dry mouth, etc. in addition to a psychological fear of losing control and an urge to do something that is either dangerous, like driving off the bridge, or embarrassing oneself by throwing up or falling to the ground.

3. The case study of Charlotte:

From the case study of Charlotte we can say that she is suffering from "Major Depressive Disorder".

To be sure of this condition we would need some more information from this case study:

1. Does Charlotte have a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day as indicated by subject account or by observation by others

2. Is there a significant weight loss that she is experiencing.

3. Is she experiencing insomnia or hyperinsomnia nearly every day

4. Is she experiencing psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

5. Is she experiencing strong feeling of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt which ois delusional nearly everyday

6. Depressed mood nearly everyday (as indicated by subjective reports or observation by others)

4. The case study of Jordan

From the case study of Jordan we can say that he is suffering from Dyspraxia also called as developmental co-ordination disorder. it is characterised by an inability to carry out coordinated, skilled, purposeful movements and gestures with normal accuracy.

5. The case study of Corey

From the case study we can say that Corey is suffering from "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder".

To be sure of this condition we would need some more information from this case study:

1. Does Corey often fails to give minute attention to details or tends to makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities (e.g., overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate)

2. often has difficulty in listening to when sombody speks to them on one to one basis

3. Often face difficulties in organising tasks and activities

4. Often refrin from participating in tasks that requires a sustained mental efforts

5. often loosed things or misplaces them

6. Often blurts out the answer even before the question has not been completed

7. Often interrupts or intrudes others while they are talking or doing a task