Biopsychosocial
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biopsychosocialexample.docxBackground Information
The client, Felicia, was referred by her primary care physician for an outpatient evaluation. The client’s main complaint is constantly feeling “on edge.” During the initial appointment, the social worker listened with compassion and empathy to Felicia’s concerns. While listening to her concerns, the social worker evaluated her for signs and symptoms using a biopsychosocial approach while assessing for competence and overall health. Using the biopsychosocial method allows the social worker to look at all aspects of Felicia’s life, including her biological, psychological, and social factors and how they all interact with one another and affect Felicia (Gray, 2016). Biological
The social worker analyzed and gathered data during the initial appointment concerning the biological aspects of Felicia’s life. Felicia is a forty-year-old female who reports constant worry. Felicia explained that she has never liked to be alone and would cry inconsolably when her mother tried dropping her off for kindergarten. Felicia also mentioned going to counseling when she was nine years old after her parents divorced because of her “clinginess.” Separation anxiety is often seen in children when they first begin attending school but can occur at all ages and in many situations” (Gray, 2016, p.163). Children with separation anxiety usually get upset and are inconsolable over things that generally should not upset someone that bad. If separation anxiety or other anxiety disorders are not treated during childhood, they can persist into adulthood (Gray, 2016).
Psychological
When assessing Felicia, the social worker also considered psychological aspects. During the initial appointment, Felicia denies any feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, or suicidal ideation. She also reported no change in weight, sleeping habits, or psychomotor changes indicative of
depressive mood disorders (Gray, 2016). However, Felicia talked about her excessive worrying with her main complaint of always being on edge. Felicia reports that her live-in boyfriend of ten years abruptly left her. She conveys feelings of sadness, difficulty concentrating and feeling tense and fatigued. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), some criteria for Generalized anxiety disorder are “feeling on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty in concentrating, and muscle tension” (p. 37). Felicia admits to worrying about several things, such as making enough money, fear that something terrible would happen if she left the house, and “agonized” about making mistakes at work regarding her routine tasks. According to the DSM-5 (2013), “the essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive anxiety and worry about several events or activities” (p. 222). Social
Felicia is an administrative assistant. She has never married and has no children. Felicia reports that she has never liked to be alone and has had a boyfriend since age sixteen. Felicia also reports a change in social routine and activities since her live-in boyfriend of ten years left her for another woman. Felicia reports that before losing her boyfriend, she was successful at work, had an excellent social network of friends, and jogged regularly. Felicia now reports excessive worry about routine job tasks, leaving her house to go anywhere during the day or night out of fear something may happen to her. Felicia’s excessive worry and anxiety have taken a toll on her social life, as she cannot leave her house. Felicia reports being at home allows her to relax. There she can enjoy a good movie or book. Anxiety can be produced from a life stressor such as losing a loved one, changes in the environment, or moving. People with anxiety tend to avoid situations and places that make their anxiety peak, as “anxiety rarely occurs in isolation” (Gray, 2016, p. 162). Competence
References
American Psychiatric Association, (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(DSM) (5thed.). Arlington, VA. Gray, S. (2016). Psychopathology: A competency-based assessment model for social workers (4thed.)
Brooks/Cole.
Background
Information
The client, Felicia, was referred by her
primary care physician for an outpatient evaluation. The
client’s main complaint is constantly feeling “on edge.” During the initial appointment, the social
worker listened with compassion and empathy to Felicia’s concerns. While listening to her concern
s, the
social worker evaluated her for signs and symptoms using a biopsychosocial approach while assessing
for competence and overall health. Using the biopsychosocial method allows the social worker to look at
all aspects of Felicia’s life, including h
er biological, psychological, and social factors and how they all
interact with one another and affect Felicia (Gray, 2016).
Biological
The social worker analyzed and gathered data during the initial appointment concerning the
biological aspects of Felic
ia’s life. Felicia is a forty
-
year
-
old female who reports constant worry. Felicia
explained that she has never liked to be alone and would cry inconsolably when her mother tried
dropping her off for kindergarten. Felicia also mentioned going to counselin
g when she was nine years
old after her parents divorced because of her “clinginess.” Separation anxiety is often seen in children
when they first begin attending school but can occur at all ages and in many situations” (Gray, 2016,
p.163). Children wit
h separation anxiety usually get upset and are inconsolable over things that
generally should not upset someone that bad. If separation anxiety or other anxiety disorders are not
treated during childhood, they can persist into adulthood (Gray, 2016).
Psy
chological
When assessing Felicia, the social worker also considered psychological aspects. During the
initial appointment, Felicia denies any feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, or suicidal
ideation. She also reported no change in weight, s
leeping habits, or psychomotor changes indicative of
depressive mood disorders (Gray, 2016). However, Felicia talked about her excessive worrying
with her
main complaint of always being on edge. Felicia reports that her live
-
in boyfriend of
ten years abruptly
left her. She conveys feelings of sadness, difficulty concentrating and feeling tense and fatigued.
Background Information
The client, Felicia, was referred by her primary care physician for an outpatient evaluation. The
client’s main complaint is constantly feeling “on edge.” During the initial appointment, the social
worker listened with compassion and empathy to Felicia’s concerns. While listening to her concerns, the
social worker evaluated her for signs and symptoms using a biopsychosocial approach while assessing
for competence and overall health. Using the biopsychosocial method allows the social worker to look at
all aspects of Felicia’s life, including her biological, psychological, and social factors and how they all
interact with one another and affect Felicia (Gray, 2016).
Biological
The social worker analyzed and gathered data during the initial appointment concerning the
biological aspects of Felicia’s life. Felicia is a forty-year-old female who reports constant worry. Felicia
explained that she has never liked to be alone and would cry inconsolably when her mother tried
dropping her off for kindergarten. Felicia also mentioned going to counseling when she was nine years
old after her parents divorced because of her “clinginess.” Separation anxiety is often seen in children
when they first begin attending school but can occur at all ages and in many situations” (Gray, 2016,
p.163). Children with separation anxiety usually get upset and are inconsolable over things that
generally should not upset someone that bad. If separation anxiety or other anxiety disorders are not
treated during childhood, they can persist into adulthood (Gray, 2016).
Psychological
When assessing Felicia, the social worker also considered psychological aspects. During the
initial appointment, Felicia denies any feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, or suicidal
ideation. She also reported no change in weight, sleeping habits, or psychomotor changes indicative of
depressive mood disorders (Gray, 2016). However, Felicia talked about her excessive worrying with her
main complaint of always being on edge. Felicia reports that her live-in boyfriend of ten years abruptly
left her. She conveys feelings of sadness, difficulty concentrating and feeling tense and fatigued.
