Nikki Hage
Argosy University
Abstract Elliot is a 67 year old male who recently retired from being the president of a large company. The objective of the identified paper is to develop a preliminary diagnosis for Elliot based off of his reported information in the Case Vignette. This paper will include recent literature regarding Elliot’s diagnoses as well as a summary of the literature on effective theoretical orientations for this diagnosis and interventions.
Section I:
SESSION INFORMATION
Patient: Elliot
Staff: Nikki Hage
Service Date/Time: March 21, 2015 10:00am
Activity: Intake/Initial Assessment
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND BRIEF REFERRAL INFORMATION
Identified …show more content…
Adjustment Disorder as defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM V (2000) is as a maladaptive reaction to identifiable psycho-social stressors or life changes. It is suggested that typically when diagnosed with Adjustment disorder patients tend to report symptoms of avoidance, maladaptive behaviors, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, as well as intrusive thoughts (Fankhauser, Wagner, Krammer, Aeschbach, Pepe, Maercker, and Forstmeier. 2010). It is suggested that despite its prevalence within the Gerontology discipline currently there are no age prevalence’s to developing Adjustment Disorders and males and females are equally likely to receive these diagnoses (Arbus, 2001) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Although Adjustment disorder have been accepted by many as an identifiable mental health diagnoses, many researchers report that the current definition for Adjustment Disorders are lacking empirical information regarding the diagnoses as well as having an incomplete “lose definition” (Maercker, Forstmeier, Enzlera, Krüsia, Hörlera, Maier and Ehlert, 2008). In a research study conducted by Maercker et al (2008) it was reported that often times Adjustment disorder diagnoses are frequently used by clinician’s as residual categories for patients who do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for other depressive disorders (Maercker, Forstmeier, Enzlera, Krüsia, Hörlera, Maier and Ehlert, 2008). It is suggested that a more …show more content…
Since Adjustment Disorder’s cover a variety or stressors and may include a plethora of symptoms, Adjustment Disorder’s have been given six subtypes according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-TR (2000). Subtypes of Adjustment Disorder include: Adjustment Disorder with a Depressed mood (309.0), Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety (309.24), Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood (309.28), Adjustment Disorder with Disturbance of Conduct (309.3), Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Disturbance of Emotions and Conduct (309.04), as well as Adjustment Disorder unspecified (309.9) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Despite Elliot not currently exhibiting all of the identified symptoms, Elliot is currently displaying symptoms that have been identified by the American Psychiatric Association that may warrant a Adjustment Disorder diagnosis with Mixed Anxiety and a Depressed Mood. Elliot as reported in the case synopsis currently report’s symptoms of anxiousness, worry, and depression immediately following his retirement from