Problem: Using APA citations, provide a response to this discussion post comment
In thinking about this question, I realize that we, as people, make quick judgments about behavior without fully understanding what might be driving it. Someone who is very talkative, impulsive, or overly confident might be labeled as annoying or narcissistic, when in reality those behaviors could be symptoms of a mood disorder such as mania or hypomania. On the other hand, behaviors we often normalize, like chronic irritability, emotional withdrawal, or ongoing low motivation, may actually meet criteria for a depressive disorder but go unnoticed because they feel familiar or socially acceptable. According to the DSM-5-TR, mood disorders can look very different from person to person, which makes these assumptions especially risky (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). This kind of mislabeling can be harmful to the treatment process because it can delay accurate diagnosis and lead to interventions that do not truly address the underlying issue. Gray (2024) emphasizes the importance of looking beyond surface behaviors and understanding symptoms within context. To evaluate whether treatment goals are being met, I would focus on changes in symptoms, functioning across settings, and the client's own sense of progress. Regular check-ins, symptom tracking, and client feedback help keep treatment grounded and responsive rather than based on assumptions (Gray, 2024). Need Assignment Help?
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
Gray, S. (2024). Psychopathology: A competency-based assessment for social workers (5th ed.). Cengage. ISBN 13: 9780357520086