DSM-5 Diagnosis Discussion Question

CASE PRESENTATION – APONI PRINCE

INTAKE DATE: November, 2019

IDENTIFYING/DEMOGRAPHIC DATA: Aponi is a 9-year-old, Native

American female in fifth grade. She lives with her parents and twin brother,

Anakin, in Leitchfield, Kentucky. Aponi’s dad is an attorney and her mom works

in retail part time.

CHIEF COMPLAINT/PRESENTING PROBLEM: Aponi’s parents are

concerned about Aponi’s schoolwork and behavior at home and school. Aponi’s

mother reports that Aponi is often irritable, negative and defiant. Mom states

Aponi has frequent tantrums when she believes her brother is getting more than she

is. She seems to always just want “her way.” This is causing a lot of trouble in

school since she bullies others and threatens her peers to get things from them.

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS: Aponi had been having troubles in school

since she was 6 years old. Each year of school since first grade, teachers reported

trouble with her peers. This year her teacher reported to the family that she

seemed to have a habit of provoking other students as well as the teacher by

making noises, rocking in her seat, and whistling in class. If a student responds to

her she attempts to initiate fights with them. She is now in serious academic

trouble. After a psycho-educational evaluation at school, it was found that she had

above-average intellectual ability. Aponi’s mom worries that Aponi is

intentionally acting out and annoys people because her and her husband have

separated on two occasions over the years.

Mom reports Aponi has tantrums which consist of shouting, cursing, crying,

slamming doors, and sometimes throwing books or objects on the floor for several

years. Aponi does bring home report cards that seemingly fail to reflect her

intelligence. Her work remains unfinished a lot and she seldom answers questions

when called on in class.

PAST PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY:

Aponi’s parents tried all kinds of ways to help their child focus on schoolwork.

They have hired private tutors for the past two years to keep her focused. Aponi

has challenges with social attachments, as evinced by her difficulty with peer

relationships. She has always connected with a much younger person and got along

okay. Mom has previously taken Aponi to a behaviorist for help and mom believed

Aponi has a poor self-esteem. This was initiated when mom found out Aponi was

taking other students lunch money and personal items for herself. The behaviorist

reported Aponi had troubling skills in communicating in socially acceptable ways

and appears to have little regard for the feelings, wishes, and welfare of others.

Mom became angry and stopped the treatment.

SUBSTANCE USE HISTORY:

Aponi denies any use of drugs or alcohol.

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY:

Aponi has been fairly healthy throughout her life. Any illness was remedied

through her parents’ natural means and their religion.

FAMILY MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY:

This is a Native American family which adheres to the behaviors and parenting of

their culture. There is no reported psychiatric history in the family. Any medical

conditions were treated with herbal remedies or medicinal foods.

CURRENT FAMILY ISSUES AND DYNAMICS:

Aponi’s parents are Native American and adhere to that culture. The Prince’s

separated on two occasions over the past five years. They previously would have

severe verbal fights that both Aponi and her brother were privy to due to Mr.

Prince’s drinking. The twins would both become angry since they have had

nanny’s and caretakers their entire life. The parents were not comfortable bringing

Aponi in for an evaluation, but they were referred by the school system.

Aponi’s mother reports that she has given up on asking her to help with chores,

because it inevitably results in an argument.

MENTAL STATUS EXAM:

Aponi presents as a casually dressed female who appears her stated age of 9. She is

a bit anxious during the interview and appears sullen and irritable. Her affect is

appropriate but seems a bit defiant at times. Motor activity is appropriate. Speech

is clear. There is no evidence of delusions or hallucinations. Aponi’s intelligence

appears average. She is oriented to time, place, and person. During the mental

status exam Aponi was kicking her foot against her mother’s chair and she asked

her to stop. She looked at her and continued to kick her chair until she became

angry. Aponi started yelling and stated that she wasn’t doing anything and that her

mother was just picking on her. She insists that her problems are all her mother’s

fault and she is always nagging her unfairly.