Diagnosing Using the DSM – Vignettes

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

Fred
Fred was raised in Houston. His father and mother were both successful realtors. He is the
middle of three brothers, who remain close. He remembers, “We never wanted for anything.”
Fred was an A student in high-school and college, and a top athlete. He completed medical
school and now practices as an anesthesiologist at a local hospital.
Fred experienced some emotional distress a number of years ago as he considered coming out
and letting his family know he is homosexual. His father initially struggled with the news but
came to accept it. Fred’s father is quite amiable towards Fred’s partner. Fred’s oldest brother was
nonplussed by the news. Fred and his partner are welcome in his brother’s home. Fred’s
mother’s response was “I don’t believe it. Please never mention this again.” The youngest
brother’s response was to accuse Fred of hurting mom.
Fred has again been experiencing emotional distress this past year as he and his partner
discuss the idea of either marrying or having a commitment ceremony. Fred is certain that he
wants to do this, but struggles with the question of what to tell family members and whether to
even invite his mother and youngest brother.
In this context Fred complains of daily panic attacks. These generally occur when he is getting
ready for work, or near the end of the work day. The panic attacks started several weeks after

Fred was robbed at gunpoint at a subway station. This occurred four months ago. He stated he
does not think he was particularly affected by the attack, but wonders because the panic attacks
started soon after. Following the attack, Fred decided he is not going to use the subway anymore
because it is too dangerous. Fred has been commuting by bicycle even though it is often difficult
to negotiate the city streets by bike.
Fred reports that there is no mental illness that he is aware of in his immediate family. He
strongly suspects that his mother’s father was an alcoholic, because he remembers his
grandfather smelling of alcohol during his (Fred’s) childhood, and because his mother refuses to
have any alcohol in her home.

Textbook Reference:
Hooley, J. M., Butcher, J. N., & Nock, M. K. (2019). Abnormal psychology (18th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.