Clinical Diagnosis

Clinical Diagnosis for Client Based upon the provided information, I have determined that the most fitting clinical diagnosis for Ms. K is Major Depressive Disorder. The medical recommendation is suggested based off her current symptoms, changes in behavior, appearance, and described feelings and mood. She presents a majority of the specified symptoms listed for Major Depressive Disorder, and has had the occurrence of behaviors for longer than a two-week period (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Ms. K has also experienced an evident change in functioning as well as depressed mood and loss in interest and pleasure. Furthermore, in order for a patient to be considered as having Major Depressive Disorder, he or she must meet at least five of the specified symptoms listed in the criterion for a Major Depressive Episodes in Criterion A-C (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Ms. K meets more than five of the identified criterion and her current behaviors and symptoms are identified below:
1) Depressed mood most of the day (spends her days in bed and starring a blank wall)
2) Significant unintended weight loss and decrease in appetite (reported loss of fifteen pounds)
3) Insomnia or hypersomnia (awakes in the
early morning hours and paces, awakes before she is ready to, and has been awake for nearly a full 48 hours due to intrusive thoughts)
4) Psychomotor agitation (apparent and constant)
5) Fatigue or loss of energy (feels exceptionally tired and is unable to have enough energy to engage in activities that she once found pleasurable such as playing with her nieces)
6) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (recognizes that her feelings are irrational and feels like a failure at work, as a wife, and in general)
7) Recurrent thoughts of death (having suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts) (feels dead inside and thinks about killing herself during the worst time of day which is directly after sunrise)
(Retrieved from: Case Study, M. Scott, 2016 and American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
As a result of her behaviors being present nearly every day and due to the symptoms lasting a duration of longer than two consecutive months, I have determine Ms. K as having recurrent episodes. Additionally, depressed mood is persistently present and insomnia, fatigue, and sleep interference is of a high occurrence. As stated in criterion D-E, Ms. K has been identified as NOT having hallucinations, paranoia, or as having a known physical illness or abnormalities (Case Study, M. Scott, 2016). Her appearance is noted and she is described as having lost fifteen pounds, being dehydrated, emotionless, absence of sense of humor, inability to find situations pleasurable, and loss of energy to participate in activities that she once enjoyed. Major changes in her behavior include being unable to work and spend time with her nieces whom were previously the “light of her life”. She also describes her mood as being, “the worst pain she has ever felt”, even compared to what she experienced after the passing of her mother whom she was very close to and misses daily (Case Study, M. Scott, 2016). Consequently, the sum of the above considerations, allot for a determination of Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent-Episode-Moderate 296.32 (F33.1).
I would additionally like to understand Ms.
K’s perspectives on how her loved ones view her and her condition. I feel it would be beneficial to better understand other stressors that may be present at home, in her personal life, relations, and interactions with co-workers and peers. It would be suitable for Ms. K to self-reflect and understand how occurrences with her relations and interactions with people and the world around her affect her ability to cope with stressors and unforeseen changes in her life. The more aware, alert and resilient Ms. K can become with facing these challenges, the better prepared she will be to take control of her feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and choices so that she can lead a happy, healthy, and self-fulfilling
life.