CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 1
Jack Bauer Case Presentation: Assessment & Diagnosis
Marc West
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Jack Bauer Case Presentation: Assessment & Diagnosis
Identifying Data
Date of Initial Assessment: 11/29/2025 Age: 43
Client Name: Jack Bauer Gender: Male
Race: White Marital Status: Widowed
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual Employment Status: Employed
CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 2
Reason for Referral/Presenting Problem
Jack has been mandated by his superior to attend counseling because of his volatility,
emotional exhaustion, and imminent burnout. He has been avoiding anything that triggers his
latest capture and torture and seems “very different.” He spends most of his time isolated, with
an inability to connect with others. He is showing signs of irritability, insomnia, and intrusive
dreams.
Confidentiality
Jack read the confidentiality statement, and I verbally went over confidentiality and the
limitations. Jack is aware that everything said in the counseling session will be confidential
unless there is an intent to harm oneself or others, abuse or neglect of children or the elderly, or
if courts subpoena me, then I will be obligated to share information about what is said.
Source of Information
I conducted an informal interview with Mr. Bauer to gain information on the concerns of his
superior.
Assessment
Family and Home Background/Religious Background
Mr. Bauer was born in Santa Monica, California. He is the oldest of two children; his
brother's name is Graem. Parents separated when he was an infant, resulting in no relationship
with his mother, and his father raised both children militant style, fostering competitiveness
between the two. Jack admits to not getting along with his father. Mr. Bauer later married Terri,
now deceased; they had one child together: Kim.
Educational History
Mr. Bauer earned a master’s degree in criminology and law from the University of California,
Berkley. After college, Mr. Bauer joined the military, where he picked up many skills and abilities
that propelled him through the ranks.
CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 3
Mental Health
No formal mental health results to report. All results, symptoms, and present signs are observed
through informal assessments (see MSE).
Mental Status Exam
Visually, Mr. Bauer was casually dressed, unshaven, visibly fatigued, irritable, and impatient. He
made little eye contact, showing no interest in counseling, and replying with brief responses.
Mr.
Bauer seems to have intact memory, recalling past and recent events. Mr. Bauer. In the past, Mr.
Bauer was mandated for annual evaluation by CTU staff psychologists for feelings of betrayal
and a deep sense of guilt for not protecting the POTUS, who then recommended counseling.
Mr. Bauer expresses that he has always been a “loner.” He states that he is experiencing
graphic and disruptive dreams where he fails to protect loved ones from harm. He occasionally
experiences themed images in waking hours. Mr. Bauer has feelings of deep remorse over the
murder of his wife, Terri, and other job-related losses; feelings of deep betrayal by the coworker
who killed Terri. Mr. Bauer also feels alienated from his daughter and hopes to restore this
relationship. Mr. Bauer expresses “no hope” for the future.
Risk Assessment
There is no acute risk of harm to self, but apparent signs of concern. Mr. Bauer reports
“no hope” for the future. There is significant trauma in his history (nightmares, intrusive images,
emotional exhaustion). There is no direct suicidal intent or plan to document (Moderate Risk)
There is a high risk of harm to others in his profession of counterterrorism. He has a
history of sanctioned killings. He expresses no remorse for the killings, but shows signs of
irritability, volatility, and emotional exhaustion, per his superior. No threat of harm to civilians
(Moderate risk)
CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 4
Client’s Physical/Medical Health
Jack looks physically fit and can perform high-risk missions for his job. No diagnosed medical
conditions to report; signs of lack of sleep and fatigue are a concern.
Occupational History
Jack has a military background, where he picked up useful skills, which led to advancements in
the field. He has a long-term occupation with CTU, which has high exposure to trauma and
lifethreatening missions.
Sexual Adjustment
Jack has no information regarding sexual adjustment.
Substance Use History
No information to report on alcohol or drug misuse.
Spiritual Assessment
No indication of spiritual or faith-based community. Mr. Bauer mentions, “having no hope” for
the future.
Cultural Factors
Mr. Bauer is a 43-year-old white male with a traditional masculine upbringing fostered by his
father.
Barriers to Treatment/Success
Mr. Bauer was mandated by his superior to come to counseling. Mr. Bauer made it clear that he
does not want to be in counseling, and “saying whatever” needs to be said to rush through the
process.
Other Pertinent Data
Mr. Bauer shows signs of anger when he feels he is not being understood.
Diagnostic Impressions
DSM-5 Diagnosis
Primary- F43.10 Posttraumatic stress disorder
(American Psychiatric Association, 2022)
CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 5
Secondary- F33.0 Major depressive disorder-mild (provisional)
(American Psychiatric Association, 2022)
Z56.6- Other physical and mental strain related to work.
Differential Diagnosis
Major depressive disorder (F33.0)- Mr. Bauer expresses hopelessness and some signs of “lost of
interest” statements. Mr. Bauer does not meet the full criteria for MDD, but is provisional; can
develop in weeks/months to come. These diagnosis share common symptoms but PTSD is
distinguised by the presence of life-threating trauma (Flory & Yehuda, 2015).
Diagnosis Rationale
F43.10 - Mr. Bauer has several direct exposures to torture, life-threatening situations, and
witnessing killings of others, including his wife, Terri (A). He has reported having graphic dreams
and occasional intrusive images in his waking hours (B1-2). He goes out of his way to avoid the
scene of his last capture and torture (C1). He leaves meetings when talks about his latest
mission is brought up (C2). Jack says that he cannot remember the events of his latest mission,
where he witnessed torture (D1). Jack has persistent negative feelings about the world and
people, “can’t trust anyone” (D2). Jack holds on to the guilt and remorse of not being able to
save others on job-related missions (D3). Jack feels alienated from his daughter and remorseful
about his wife’s murder (D6). Jack has been reported by his superior to have been sad (D7). Jack
has outbursts when not understood (E1). Jack has reported trouble falling and staying asleep,
noticeable fatigue (E6). Jack has ongoing symptoms of criteria B, C, D, and E, meeting criteria
(F). Jack’s disturbance causes distress in his occupation and social functioning, meeting criteria
(G)
Z56.6 – Jack’s occupation as a CTU agent places him in continuous exposure to high-stakes
missions in which failure to save others can prolong disturbance.
CASE PRESENTATION ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS 6
References
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition, text revision: DSM-5-TRTM.
(2022). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Flory, J. D., & Yehuda, R. (2015). Comorbidity between post-traumatic stress disorder and major
depressive disorder: Alternative explanations and treatment considerations. Dialogues in
Clinical Neuroscience, 17(2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.31887/dcns.2015.17.2/jflory
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