Final Project: Psychological Disorder Analysis
Chelsie Robinson
University of Phoenix
Final Project: Psychological Disorder Analysis
Marla, 42 years of age, visits me three times weekly. Since our first encounter we have discussed several symptoms that she has experienced including: inability to sleep, anxiety, and the inability to focus on daily tasks. On certain occasions, Marla has expressed hearing voices. The audible hallucinations she is experiencing are the most direct concern to me. Several of her experiences include her frightened state, hearing voices encouraging her to harm herself or those close to her. I’ve concluded that her symptoms are consistent to those of a paranoid schizophrenic. Included in this paper, is my first encounter with Marla.
During our session, I asked her brief open-ended questions to get a better sense of who she was. From there, I was able to determine her goal, what she wanted to obtain from our session, and what she expected of me. In our first meeting, I analyzed my client. She seemed worried, anxious, precautious, guarded. She seemed brittle, small, and slightly erratic. As I welcomed her into my office, she nervously sat knees bobbing as she waited. Our interview was as follows:
Dr. Robinson: Good evening. Why don’t we start with your name?
Marla: Marla.
Dr. Robinson: Can you tell me about yourselfMarla: Well, I am 42, and I live alone in a small apartment. My brother is the only family I have left. Unfortunately he lives in California. We no longer keep in touch. It’s seemingly difficult for me to make any friends. I find it hard to relate with others, and do better keeping to myself.
Dr. Robinson: Marla, why don’t you tell me why you’re here today.
Marla: I’m having trouble sleeping. At work, I’m finding it hard to interact with others. I find myself to be irritable, anxious, constantly fidgeting.
Dr. Robinson: Where is it that you workMarla: I’m an accountant at…