Discussion 1
When a client presents physicalailments for which no medical evidence confirms a condition, theclient's pain may not simply go away. Rather, the pain may persist,further disrupting the client's life. In these cases, psychologicalevaluations may be used to determine if any psychological disordersexist. Specifically, somatic symptom, conversion, and factitiousdisorders, as well as dissociative disorders may be considered forthe client's diagnosis. Additionally, psychologists may alsoevaluate whether other confounding factors, such as environmentaland/or individual variables, influence a diagnosis.
For this Discussion, review the casestudy in the Learning Resources. Consider the presenting symptomsof the client and any confounding factors that may influencediagnosis.
With these thoughts inmind:
Post
1. a diagnosis forthe female in the case study and explain yourrationale for assigning these diagnoses on the basis of theDSM.
2. Consider the presenting symptoms ofthe client and any confounding factors that may influencediagnosis.
3. Then describe three confoundingfactors that may influence client diagnosis and why. Bespecific.
Somatic and Related Disorders,and Disassociative Disorders
FEMALE SPEAKER: No one understands.It's so hard being on my own and taking care of myself.
FEMALE SPEAKER: I know it must behard. And how long has it been since your husband passed away?
FEMALE SPEAKER: It's been five years.And we used to do everything together. And now-- I wasn't always agood wife. I loved him. But I didn't always enjoy my wifelyduties.
I miss him. But I don't miss that. Isthat OK to say? No. I'm not here to talk about that.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, let's talk aboutwhy you are here.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, I'm here becausemy doctor thinks that I should see a talk doctor, like you. ButI've never needed one before in the past. I've always been reallyhealthy. And now I'm like
FEMALE SPEAKER: Are you OK?
FEMALE SPEAKER: I'm in pain.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Can you tell me whereit hurts?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Everywhere. My arms,my legs, my back. I'm like-- It comes through my chest. There'ssome days I can't even go to work. I can't cook or get in the bath.It's just lay in bed all day long.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, chronic pain canbe really agonizing.
FEMALE SPEAKER: It is.
FEMALE SPEAKER: It's overwhelming.
FEMALE SPEAKER: It is.
FEMALE SPEAKER: I'm really sorry. Whatdoes your doctor say?
FEMALE SPEAKER: The doctors? Whatdon't they say? I mean, one day it's this. One day it's that. Butthey can figure out what it is. And I'm just sick of the whole messof them. I mean one doctor even told me to get on pain management.But I do not take drugs. I don't want to take drugs.
FEMALE SPEAKER: It sounds like you'reunder a lot of stress.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah.
FEMALE SPEAKER: You had mentionedmissing work and not being able to take care of yourself.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Do you have anyfriends or family to help you out?
FEMALE SPEAKER: I do. I do. Thank God.I mean she's out in the waiting room. If it wasn't for her, Iwouldn't be able to be sitting here right now. I haven't been ableto drive myself anywhere since the accident.
FEMALE SPEAKER: That's really kind ofher. You've had a bad stretch, haven't you? FEMALE SPEAKER: Ihave.
FEMALE SPEAKER: So what happened inthe accident?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, I was driving towork. And this guy just comes along and sideswipes me. My car hitthe curve. It broke the axle. And then the guy just took off, likeyou know.
FEMALE SPEAKER: Were you hurt?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Yes, I was hurt. Butthe people in the ER, they didn't believe me. And they said that Ididn't have any injuries. And so that they couldn't keep me. But Iknow what I felt. I was hurt.
And that's why I'm suing them. BecauseI was hurt all over from that crash. And they did nothing to helpme. Nothing. My stomach, my stomach is still in pain from that day.You wouldn't believe how nauseous I get. I throw up all the time.And my throat.
And my throat. I had problems with mythroat. But since the accident, it's been really hard to swallow.You believe me, don't you?
