Psychological Disorder Analysis
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER ANALYSIS
Psychological Disorder Analysis
Amy Verhagen
Axia College of University of Phoenix
The diagnosis given to Maria is Dysthymic Disorder. Maria has been having trouble sleeping at night, feeling ‘jumpy’, and not able to concentrate. I suspect this has been going on for a while and possibly co-occurs with other psychological symptoms. Further questioning Maria about her past and present symptom onset will help in confirming this diagnosis to help treat her appropriately.
Background Information
Dysthymia comes from the words thalamus and thyroid, hence the reason it is called dysthymia. Dysthymic disorder is described as a mood disorder with mild or chronic depression, often appearing earlier in life then major depression, often appearing to be as part of one’s personality (McGraw Hill, 2007). In diagnosing this disorder the patient must show at least two symptoms of the following six depression symptoms: low self-esteem, feeling hopeless, fatigue, eating disturbances, difficulty concentrating or decision making, and sleep disturbances. In addition, a person with dysthymic disorder is usually not without symptoms for more than two months at a time, has a gradual onset of symptoms, and significant impairment in social or work function. Diagnosis with dysthymic disorder cannot be made if the person has an underlying condition of consisting of psychotic disorder, bipolar, or because the symptoms are due to medication, substance abuse or a medical condition. Furthermore, one who has dysthymic disorder is also more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders such as avoidant or borderline (Dysthymic Disorder, 2004).
This disorder is most common in women than in men and affect approximately 3% to 5% of the population (McGraw Hill, 2007). The prevalence of dysthymic disorder according to a study done by Riolo, Nguyen, Greden, and King, (2005), were significantly higher in African Americans and
Psychological Disorder Analysis
Amy Verhagen
Axia College of University of Phoenix
The diagnosis given to Maria is Dysthymic Disorder. Maria has been having trouble sleeping at night, feeling ‘jumpy’, and not able to concentrate. I suspect this has been going on for a while and possibly co-occurs with other psychological symptoms. Further questioning Maria about her past and present symptom onset will help in confirming this diagnosis to help treat her appropriately.
Background Information
Dysthymia comes from the words thalamus and thyroid, hence the reason it is called dysthymia. Dysthymic disorder is described as a mood disorder with mild or chronic depression, often appearing earlier in life then major depression, often appearing to be as part of one’s personality (McGraw Hill, 2007). In diagnosing this disorder the patient must show at least two symptoms of the following six depression symptoms: low self-esteem, feeling hopeless, fatigue, eating disturbances, difficulty concentrating or decision making, and sleep disturbances. In addition, a person with dysthymic disorder is usually not without symptoms for more than two months at a time, has a gradual onset of symptoms, and significant impairment in social or work function. Diagnosis with dysthymic disorder cannot be made if the person has an underlying condition of consisting of psychotic disorder, bipolar, or because the symptoms are due to medication, substance abuse or a medical condition. Furthermore, one who has dysthymic disorder is also more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders such as avoidant or borderline (Dysthymic Disorder, 2004).
This disorder is most common in women than in men and affect approximately 3% to 5% of the population (McGraw Hill, 2007). The prevalence of dysthymic disorder according to a study done by Riolo, Nguyen, Greden, and King, (2005), were significantly higher in African Americans and
References: Dysthymic Disorder, (2004). The concise corsini encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science. Retrieved April 3, 2010 from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/wileypysch/dsythymic_disorder McGraw Hill Higher Education. (2007). Faces of abnormal psychology interactive. Retrieved April 3, 2010 from http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/psychology/faces/# Riolo, S., Nguyen, T., Greden, J., & King, C. (2005). Prevalence of depression by race/ethnicity: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. American Journal of Public Health, 95(6), 998-1000. Retrieved April 3, 2010 from doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.047225