Case Scenario: A 17-year-old young woman is brought to her primary care provider by her mother because of frequent complaints of headaches and stomachaches for the past 3 to 4 weeks. The mother tells the clinician that the girl has also been doing worse in school during this same time period and believes it is because of the chronic aches. The girl has missed many days of school because of her complaints. Her mother has already taken her to have her vision and hearing checked, neither of which is a problem. On further questioning, it is found that the young woman's father is enlisted in the military and left for a 6-month overseas combat assignment 5 weeks ago. He e-mails her several times a week, but the mother notes how much the daughter worries about him and his safety. When interviewed, the girl also comments that in addition to her worries about her father, she cries frequently but feels better when she talks to her friends. She occasionally has bad dreams about her father and feels she sleeps more uneasily as a result.
Questions:
- Brief Pathophysiology of the case. Need Assignment Help?
- Differential diagnoses (at least three)
- Recommended diagnostic test or any screening tool (if indicated)
- Final/Working Diagnosis based on current DSM criteria
- Treatment plan: include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy or both as appropriate.
- Any cultural, ethical, or legal consideration (if applicable)
- Client education
- Recommend any other services/consultation as appropriate.
- Follow-up plan.