Diagnosing Using the DSM- Vignettes

Intructions 

The DSM is a classification manual used by professionals in the field of psychology. For this
assignment, you will diagnose three clients. The vignettes for each client, “Unit 4 Case Study
Vignettes,” which are included.
**For each client, indicate the diagnosis and discuss each criterion the client fits and does not fit
for that diagnosis from the DSM-5 (which you should cite).
**Select one of the clients and in a separate, final section of the paper, complete the following:
**Analyze two recommended treatments for the client and explain why they would be
recommended (one or both of these treatments should come from a current peer-reviewed
journal article).
**Support your analysis with a peer-reviewed journal article about the diagnosis you chose for

this client.
**How well does the article’s discussion of the diagnosis compare to the behaviors the client
displays?
**As a professional in the field of psychology, how would you use the information from the article
to inform your professional behavior?
For this assignment, you are expected to meet the following requirements:
Title page: Include your name, course, date, and instructor.
Reference: DSM-5, textbook, two or more peer-reviewed journal articles.
Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall
message.
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA (sixth edition) style and
formatting.
Length of paper: 5–6 typed, double-spaced pages.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Unit 4 Case Study Vignettes

Sally
Sally, 23, is brought in by her parents. They are both in their 60s. Sally is the youngest of five
siblings, all of who are at least ten years older than she. All are now married. The four oldest
siblings were raised on the family’s farm. When Sally was about 10, her parents sold the farm
and moved to the small city where they now live. Two of her siblings live in the same area. Two
have left the area to pursue work opportunities.
Sally seems irritated. She states, “Will you explain to my parents that I don’t need to be here. I

want to get home and work on my book.” The family explains that Sally has been writing a novel.
Sally believes that once she publishes her work, she will be acclaimed as the new direction for
American literature.
Sally works as a ticket agent for an airline. She has continued to live at home in order to save
money to attend a graduate school program. Sally’s parents are concerned. They report they
hear her typing in her room for hours at a time, even during the wee hours of the night. Her
mother is concerned because she can’t be getting much sleep. Alternately she becomes
frustrated about writer’s block, so much so that she has broken things. This is not like her. They
also worry because she recently bought a new car that they do not believe she can afford. They
feel this is an unusual step for her. She states that their concerns do not take into account the
large advance she will get once she shows her novel to a publishing agent. Sally’s parents are
not sure if they are over-reacting or not. Her mother says, “At least she’s not like Ted was.” Ted is
an older brother who made a suicide attempt several years ago, and is now treated with antidepressant medication.
It is difficult to get Sally to talk about much other than her writing. She eventually agrees to
discuss other topics, “If that’s the only way I’m going to get out of your office this morning.” She
states she has good relationships with all family members, especially her young nephews and
nieces. However, she does not have time for family right now. She also reports she is now
irritated with her parents for selling the farm ten years ago. “That would have been the perfect
environment in which to have some peace so that I could focus on writing.”

Sally denies that she has any other problems worth talking about.
Textbook Reference:
Hooley, J. M., Butcher, J. N., & Nock, M. K. (2019). Abnormal psychology (18th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.