Biopsychosocial Case Study

Biopsychosocial Case Study Case studies are an important part of clinical psychology. One can learn about the biological, psychological, and social factors involved by studying patients with certain disorders or illnesses. The case study of Christina Ricci and Karen Carpenter are extraordinary and this analysis will give a brief overview of their case as well as discuss the biological, psychological, and social factors involved. This analysis will also explain the need for adaptation in the field of clinical psychology. Overview of Christina Ricci and Karen Carpenter Karen Carpenter and Christina Ricci were both diagnosed with anorexia nervosa a psychological disorder. While both women suffered from anorexia nervosa the women did not handle the eating disorder the same way. Christina Ricci grew up in a home where perfectionism was the key to life. Her mother was a perfectionist and her father was a primal scream therapist. Christina Ricci at a very early age started in acting and this could be part of the reason for her anorexia nervosa. The case study of Christina Ricci believes that she was rebelling against her family. As for Karen Carpenter, Karen Carpenter was one of the first women to bring anorexia nervosa to light in the early 1960s. Karen Carpenter like Christina Ricci grew up in a home that was controlling and this drove Karen Carpenter into having an eating disorder and the cause of her death at an early age. The Biological, Psychological, and Social Factors Involved Karen Carpenter suffered from anorexia nervosa partially because of her family. Karen Carpenter’s mother was always more concerned with Karen’s older brother than with Karen. Karen sought attention, but however, never got the attention that she needed from her mother causing many psychological and social problems. As Karen matured she fell into a cycle of using laxatives and other pills to help her lose weight. This caused Karen’s body to slowly shut down.