Charlotte Z Case Study

The purpose of the following assignment is to pick one case study out of a listed three and to identify and critically analyse the psychological issues surrounding the chosen case. The author of this assignment has decided to discuss the first case study, which is that of Charlotte Z. Charlotte is a 17 year old female that was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, poly-articular with a rheumatoid factor positive at the age of 16. Charlotte had been experiencing a lot of pain due to this disease, but had kept the pain a secret as she believed that she would no longer be allowed to take part in activities that she loved like boxing. Charlotte found it difficult to undertake the easiest of tasks that people may take for granted such as
She receives Methotrexate and Enbrel (etanercept) injections and has three injections a week to control her arthritis, as well as tramadol, prednisolone steroids, paracetamol, naproxen for her pain. As she is currently prescribed so much medication that as a result, she is also on folic acid and omeprazole to protect her stomach from the unwanted, harmful side effects that may occur due such medications. She is also attending an occupational therapist and a psychologist to create coping strategies and mechanisms to overcome her disease. Her occupational therapist helped her to understand that because she is feeling sad, she is not weak and as a result Charlotte has been able to accept her condition. Charlotte also utilises a hydro-pool when her arthritis flares up and she is able to move, stretch her joints and relax in these
According to Crombez et al., the way adolescents cope with their chronic pain can have a huge impact on their mental health state. Zuck et al., 2001 and Kashikar-Zuck et al., 2002 have shown that maladaptive coping is strongly associated with adolescent depression and disability. As part of Charlotte’s current treatment regime she is attending a psychologist and occupational therapist which she states to be benefiting her condition. It was suggested to Charlotte that helping others with her condition may in fact help herself to combat her arthritis. Charlotte took this advice on board and began writing a blog and tweets to others providing emotional support to other in a similar situation to