Assignment:
In considering the Cluster C Personality Disorders, formulate a Differential Diagnosis for Jenni. What are your diagnostic considerations and why? Support your ideas by discussing what you see in the vignette utilizing all course readings thus far. What information would you need to look for to confirm your diagnostic impression and why?
Jenni is a 38 year old woman of Middle Eastern heritage. She is meticulously dressed, color coordinated and carefully groomed. She has lived in this country most of her life. Jenni is married with 3 children, ages 17, 14 and 10. Jenni is open and disclosive during your initial session. She hands you a neat and orderly list of those areas she wants you to help her with. She tells you, â??lately I find myself having great difficulty leaving the house. I get so anxious when I am around people. I am so afraid that I willsay or do something wrong and that people won't like me and that would devastate me. I can't stand it when people don't approve of me. I feel so ashamed when I make a mistake. I try to run my life by the book. I clean my house twice a day so that my husband won't get mad. I make no decisions without asking his permission first. I've dedicated my life to my family and yet I am so miserable and feel like a worthless failure.â? Jenni denies suicidal thoughts and has never sought mental health treatmentin the past.
1. In considering the Cluster C Personality Disorders, formulate a Differential Diagnosis for Jenni. What are your diagnostic considerations and why? Support your ideas by discussing what you see in the vignette utilizing all course readings thus far. What information would you need to look for to confirm your diagnostic impression and why?
2. Construct a tentative treatment plan for Jenni. In consideration of the discussion by Comer (2007), integrate the etiological theories and recommended treatment modalities. Discuss the role of pharmacological interventions and if you believe it would be helpful for Jenni and why.