Discussion:
Abnormal Psychology - Case Study
This patients history leads you to believe that some sort of brain injury has occurred, You believe that a preselected battery of standard tests is the most beneficial. What test battery would you use? What are its component parts and what are its limitations?
Tim, a 21 Year old man, has just been admitted to the hospital. He had been found wandering the streets, talking to himself. It looks as if he has been homeless for some time. You are called in to do a clinical observation. What would you include in you observation of Tim?
You are seeing a new patient who has been referred to you by his primary care doctor. Ben, a 29 year old truck driver, went to his doctor thinking he was having a heart attack. When he drove across bridges, his heart would pound, his hands got sweaty, he would feel short of breath, and begin to hyperventilate. Several months ago Ben was involved in an accident that left three people dead and several injured. The symptoms began shortly after the accident and have lasted six months, His primary care doctor reports that Ben is not having any heart problems and is generally in good health.
As Ben's psychologist, what type of interview would you conduct? What diagnosis would you give him on AXIS I, II, and III and why?