Diagnosis paper

Diagnosis Paper # 3

Due Wednesday, April 21st by Class

GENERAL INFORMATION: Each diagnosis paper involves the review of a real individual with

mental illness. There will be four diagnosis papers in total. You will be asked to identify the

symptoms present and the functional impairment present for the individual. You will propose

a DSM-V classification for the individual and provide a justification for your choice. When

applicable, you will be asked to formulate an understanding of the development and/or

maintenance of the symptomology.

SCHIZOPHRENIA CASE: The third clinical case is that of an individual with Schizophrenia.

This case is a bit different, as the individual is not able to engage in meta-cognition. Instead

of hearing from them about their experience, you will need to observe their behavior and

identify the symptoms as they present themselves.

Here’s the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fP1yeE0p28

As you watch the video, think about whether the individual meets criteria for Schizophrenia

by reviewing the symptoms of the disorder as listed in the DSM-V (see table below). At times

the disorder’s criteria may be fully evident, and other times there may be insufficient

information provided. As always, write in basic APA format (12 pt, Times New Roman font,

black font, double spaced, ½ inch indents, no extra spaces between paragraphs). Your task

is to:

1. Describe the symptoms of mental illness that you observed. Be sure to include

the emotional, behavioral, and thought-based symptoms that are evident. (3

paragraphs; 3 points)

a. Organize your text around the diagnostic criteria for Schizophrenia.

Give concrete examples (e.g., “strange thinking that isn’t rational” isn’t

sufficient); pull quotes or describe your behavioral observations from

this individual’s speech to illustrate each of the applicable “A” criteria.

2. For the Schizophrenia case, imagine this individual’s likely level of functional

impairment outside of the hospital setting. Speculate as to how the symptoms

you witnessed would impair his functioning in the following areas: occupational,

self-care, and social relationships. (1 paragraph; 1 point)

3. Complete the diagnostic table presented below, and copy/paste the table into

your paper at the end of your text (1 point).

DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria Symptoms present for the individual, as

demonstrated with direct quotes or

behavioral observations from the

interview

A. Two (or more) of the following, each present

for a significant portion of time during a 1-

month period (or less if successfully treated).

At least one of these must be (1), (2), or (3)

[Leave this one box blank, answer for

each “A” criteria below]

1. Delusions

2. Hallucinations

3. Disorganized Speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)

4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

5. Negative symptoms (i.e., diminished emotional expression or avolition).

ADDTIIONAL INFORMATION: Please upload this paper to your individual folder located in the

class google drive folder

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1px9LMSV4znVSD30zccRGs5ComnBJtwUy?usp=sh

aring

Each student has their own folder. You are welcome to store whatever you would like in your

personal folder (e.g., drafts) but please make sure to you have saved your final draft to the

subfolder labeled “Assignment Submissions”. I will accept late assignments; however, all

late assignments will be downgraded 4% per day. This policy thus provides some flexibility

for times when students have too much on their plates. However, the penalties add up

quickly, and so the cost is high. Take care to use this flexibility sparingly.