Psychology Journals & Treatment Practices

An Example of an "A" paper for you to see

Class, This is a former student's final assessment. While it isn't 100% perfect or everything you will need until week 5, I do recommend you look at the assignment instructions and then look at this paper. The student has allowed us to share this paper (and it isn't a character or historical figure we will use in our class, but you can see how well each item is addressed and the types of information to include in each section). The purpose of providing this paper is to give you an example of an "A" assessment. Do be sure not to plagiarize as it has been put into TurnItIn.

Buzz Aldrin-Psychological Report

Student’s Name

PSY303

Instructor’s Name

Date

Buzz Aldrin-Psychological Report

I. Identifying Information

Name: Buzz Eugene Aldrin

Sex: Male

Gender Identity: Male

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Age: 85

Date of Birth: January 20, 1930

Ethnicity: European American of Scottish, Swedish and German Ancestry

Occupation: Astronaut (currently retired)

Location of current residence: Los Angeles, CA USA

II. Chief Complaint/Presenting Problem

Mr. Aldrin began experiencing some marital difficulties and contemplated divorce from his first wife and

marriage to a woman he was having an affair with (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). His list of complaints

included feelings of despair, stress, and tiredness; he also complained of shoulder and neck pain (Aldrin

& Abraham, 2009). The immense amount of distress caused by the emotions of these events may have

been the reason for his suffering.

III. Symptoms

Mr. Aldrin showed signs of depression with his symptoms of extreme low moods, not wanting to get out

of bed, irritability and emotional indifference towards family and friends, and the increasing pain in his

shoulder and arm (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr. Aldrin also began drinking heavily which often

exacerbated his symptoms of depression (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). His depression seemed to improve

for short periods of time but returned with similar symptoms (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). This suggests

that his depressive disorder may be what is termed Dysthymia, a persistent form of depression that

typically last a few years but can continue indefinitely (Getzfeld& Schwartz, 2014).

Culture and genetics can play a role in the health of an individual. The possible presence of mood

disorders which resulted in the suicide of Mr. Aldrin’s mother and grandfather suggests that there may be

an inherited factor (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). The cultural aspect of living with a parent who routinely

showed symptoms of depression may also have played a role in the way Mr. Aldrin chose to deal with his

emotional upsets. It is not known whether Mr. Aldrin’s mother or grandfather had a challenge with

alcohol consumption but if they did this might also have been a factor for his alcoholic tendencies.

IV. Personal History

Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20, 1930 (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). He

grew up in the New Jersey area and attended schools there as a child (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises,

2014). Mr. Aldrin had a younger sister who could not pronounce the word “brother” and called him

“buzzer”; his family shortened the name and began calling him Buzz, which he made his legal first name

in 1988 (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014).

Edwin Aldrin, Buzz Aldrin’s father, was a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014).

His mother, Marion Moon, also came from a military family; her father was an Army Chaplain (Buzz

Eugene Aldrin, 2014). Military lifestyle has a culture all its own which no doubt influenced his life

choices.

Mr. Aldrin spent his childhood in New Jersey where he graduated a year early from Montclair High

School and went on to West Point Military Academy (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). In 1951, he

graduated third in his class with a BS in mechanical engineering (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). Education

seemed to bring out a motivational side to his character that drove him to excel in his academics.

Considering the high placement in his classes, Mr. Aldrin obviously did very well in his academics. After

joining the Air Force, Mr. Aldrin attended MIT where he received his Doctorate of Science in

Astronautics (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, 2014). The compilation of his educational experiences propelled

him into his life as an astronaut providing all the mental and emotional aspects necessary for this type of

demanding career.

By all accounts, Mr. Aldrin had no challenges getting along with his co-workers (Aldrin and Abraham,

2009). His ability to work well with others enabled him to enjoy the mission to the moon and gave him a

once in a life time experience. He has been able to maintain lifetime friendships with his fellow astronauts

and military connections (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Buzz Aldrin has been married three times (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). He admits to a marital affair in

which he contemplated marriage (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). He went on to marry two other women, the

last one in 1988 which he is currently married to (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). He maintains a friendly

relationship with his first wife Joann despite their rocky relationship and eventual separation (Aldrin&

Abraham, 2009). Romantic relationships seem to come and go in the life of Mr. Aldrin, but his ability to

maintain friendships appears to be one of his strengths.

V. Family History

Buzz Aldrin’s father was born in 1896 and his mother was born in 1903 (Findagrave.com). This would

make them 34 and 27 respectively when Buzz was born. Buzz was raised by his natural parents with one

other sibling. His father was extremely influential in his life choices but not forceful in his decision

making. Mr. Aldrin admits that there were many career moves he made that were opposite of what his

father wanted for him, but he received support nonetheless.

Mr. Aldrin’s mother was often very unhappy and unfortunately took her own life not long after his rise to

fame. He stated that he carries a portion of guilt regarding his mother’s death. In addition to his mother,

his maternal grandfather, as well as other distant family members, also committed suicide. This fact has

caused him to question whether he would ever follow this direction of emotional turmoil.

Considering the fact that he was raised in a military family, Buzz Aldrin did not move as often as most

military families. He was raised in the New Jersey area which enabled him to go to school in his

community (Buzz Eugene Aldrin, 2014). This most likely had an impact on his ability to excel in life. The

feeling of community connections can provide a sense of belonging that promotes an individual’s overall

well-being. He has a strong healthy relationship with his sister that no doubt stems from his strong ties to

his culture (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Mr. Aldrin was raised in a Christian faith and his religious training seemingly followed him to the moon

when he performed a religious communion ceremony to commemorate the momentous occasion (Aldrin&

Abraham, 2009). With both parents from military families the influences of military culture had the

opportunity to impact his life as well. The two cultures taught aspects of honesty, strength, commitment,

and determination. The strong influence of these cultures may be what helped him conquer his mental and

emotional challenges.

VI. Therapy History

When Mr. Aldrin first began experiencing feelings of depression, along with shoulder and neck pain, he

enlisted the help of Dr. Carlos Perry who treated him for his neck and shoulder complaints and directed

him to Dr. Don Flinn (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Although these two doctors were instrumental in getting

him the help he needed it was Colonel John Sparks the chief of psychiatry at Wilford Hall who was able

to diagnose and treat Mr. Aldrin.

Dr. Sparks began treatment by attempting to get Mr. Aldrin to verbalize his feelings about why he thought

he was feeling this way (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Along with psychiatric treatment, Dr. Sparks used

relaxation techniques and medication to help improve the depression issues of Mr. Aldrin (Aldrin&

Abraham, 2009).

For an individual coming from a culture where men are expected to be in control of their emotions this

type of treatment was not easy for Mr. Aldrin (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). However, it is sometimes the

barriers of a culture that promote the growth of emotional challenges and breaking through those barriers

can produce changes that allow healing (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014).

The treatment and therapy lasted approximately four weeks with the ultimate diagnosis of depression

(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). It seemed to be successful, and gave Mr. Aldrin the opportunity to understand

why he had these feelings and what he could do to help himself in the future (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Eventually these feelings of depression came back and Mr. Aldrin began adding the element of alcohol to

his mental and emotional challenges (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Through the support of Alcoholics

Anonymous Mr. Aldrin has been able to control these issues and lead a normal life (Aldrin & Abraham,

2009). The techniques used for the treatment of depression and alcoholism seem to be successful and

have allowed Mr. Aldrin to manage his mental and emotional state.

VII. Medical Conditions

All research indicates that Mr. Aldrin has good physical health other than the mental and emotional

aspects of alcoholism and depression (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Due to the privacy issues of an

individual’s medical history no other information is available at this time regarding any other medical

conditions.

VIII. Substance Use

The largest issue of substance use, according to Mr. Aldrin, has been his overuse of alcohol (Aldrin &

Abraham, 2009). By his own account he used alcohol as a tool to deal with the emotional challenges of

his personal and public life (Aldrin& Abraham, 2009). As with drug abuse, alcoholism is a disorder that

can lead to extreme physical and emotional issues if left untreated (Uhart, et al, 2006).

IX. Collateral

After dealing with some psychological issues with their son, Buzz Aldrin and his wife Joan enlisted the

services of Dr. Robert Prall who quickly decided that their marital challenges were due to Mr. Aldrin’s

behaviors (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Dr. Prall found Mr. Aldrin to be temperamental and indifferent to

those around him (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Buzz Aldrin and his wife continued to have marital difficulties and he began having an affair with another

woman (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). When Mr. Aldrin confided to his sisters that he was contemplating

leaving his wife and marrying a woman named Marianne they voiced their concerns about his mental

state and his ability to make rational decisions (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

While under a doctor’s care for possible depression, Mr. Aldrin visited close friend Merv Hughs who

seemed surprised at the amount of alcohol that Buzz was consuming (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). That

same weekend, Mr. Aldrin confided to a minister friend, Dean Woodruff that he was suffering from

depression (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr. Woodruff was surprised to hear the news because he did not

feel there were signs of this disorder in Mr. Aldrin’s behavior (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

There seemed to be a common understanding between Mr. Aldrin’s close friends and family about his

behaviors. Those close to him observed his abnormal behaviors and were concerned for his well-being

(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Acquaintances who were not close, or those who had not seen him for a

while, did not seem to notice anything unusual about his behaviors (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Mr.

Aldrin seemed to be able to maintain a positive demeanor in the public eye but not with those close to

him.

Other than the psychological issues with his son, Mr. Aldrin did not seem to have any dealings with other

individuals who were dealing with issues of depression or alcoholism (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). By his

own reports, Mr. Aldrin’s challenges were due to his inability to deal with the disappointments in his life

(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

Mr. Aldrin and his wife were involved in a very serious automobile accident that could easily have taken

their lives (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). Although there was no official police report regarding the cause of

the accident, Mr. Aldrin admits that alcohol was involved and was likely the reason for the accident

(Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). It is possible that this event had an impact on his awareness of his condition

and behaviors.

Personality and intelligence testing was performed on Mr. Aldrin when he first joined the military. By all

accounts he was healthy and did not show any signs of distress at the time of the tests (Aldrin &

Abraham, 2009). Because of the privacy factor, these reports are not available to view. However, Mr.

Aldrin did well in school and was very successful in his military career (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises,

2014). It can be concluded that prior to his career he did not show signs of depression or alcoholism.

X. Results of Evaluation

Psychological research and study have created basic theories of behavior that aid in personality

development. Sigmund Freud created the psychoanalytical theory which explains the human psyche as an

unconscious and conscious mind consisting of the “id”, the “ego” and the “super ego” (Getzfeld &

Schwartz, 2014, Psychoanalytic Theory, par. 3). The idea that each of these three parts of human thought,

work together to create the conscience, morals and personality of an individual may explain how a

personality forms but is not necessarily inclusive of environmental factors and makes it difficult to

explain Mr. Aldrin’s depression disorder.

Behaviorists expound a bit more on how the actions of an individual can impact their emotional state by

evaluating the results of the behaviors (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). Unfortunately, this idea is also

lacking in the ability to understand Mr. Aldrin’s behaviors because it lacks the element of environmental

factors. Cognitive Behaviorism, however, accentuates the value of conscious thought as it relates to active

behaviors (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). This idea supports the theory of social learning and can be used

to explain the irrational thoughts of worthlessness that Mr. Aldrin felt after the euphoric experience of

landing on the moon was deflated by the adoration given to Neil Armstrong for being the first man on the

moon (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). The maladaptive behaviors shown by Mr. Aldrin after this event

showcase the social and cultural aspects of this theory in his attempts to attach himself to the public light

shown to Neil Armstrong. The lack of recognition was an event that led him to believe he deserved more,

and the ultimate consequence altered his ability to cope with reality.

The theory of learned helplessness suggests that an individual’s behaviors are reflective of the human

environment they are raised in (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). This theory does help to share how the

cultural aspect of Mr. Aldrin’s family life had an impact on his ability to deal with emotional conflict. The

suicidal tendencies of his mother most likely had a negative impacted on his desire to overcome

emotional stress and yet the strict military discipline of his father seems to have had a positive impact on

his ability to recover from stressors. The conflict between the two would seem to be a possible source of

his emotional turmoil.

Using the learned helplessness theory can help to explain some of the irrational behaviors and thought

processes of Mr. Aldrin as he lived through the turmoil of emotional stress and disappointments of life.

Evaluating each of the events that led to his breakdowns can aid in the understanding of his mental and

emotional state.

For example, the death of his mother led him to doubt his ability to cope with life stressors and he often

wondered if he could be capable of committing suicide as well (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). This self-

doubt is an indicator that his emotional weakness was directly related to the environment of his childhood

and how it affected his view of his own character. The negative side of this self-doubt inhibited his self-

esteem which promoted the behaviors that led him to feelings of depression.

The deterioration of his marriage can also be seen as a factor that led to his depressive state. Serious

emotional upsets can cause an individual to doubt their value as a person and cause them to exhibit

behaviors that are contrasting to their basic character (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). In addition, the stress

of emotions can lead to substance abuse, such as alcohol or drugs and cause further erratic behaviors

(Almeida-filho, et al, 2007). Mr. Aldrin’s increased alcohol consumption is evidence that he was having

difficulty dealing with life stressors and exhibited the symptoms of alcoholism.

The decline in his publicity was also a great source of Mr. Aldrin’s frustration. His behaviors of

aggression (punching a camera man), leaving his wife for another woman (who ended up marrying

someone else), and excessive fatigue (sometimes staying in bed for days) were all signs of depression and

an eminent need for medical attention (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). His numerous attempts to reach out to

doctors for a diagnosis that would eliminate his chronic pain and explain some of his feelings of

frustration are an indicator that he realized he needed help. His family’s realization that his abnormal

behaviors were increasing were instrumental in his eventual diagnoses.

Based on the personal information provided, Mr. Aldrin issues with depression and alcoholism are a

result of cultural environments (mother with emotional issues, unexpected fame), and personal family

issues (deterioration of marriage, expectations of his father) (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009). There is also

hereditary evidence (family suicide incidents) that may have made him more susceptible to a depressive

disorder and issues with alcohol abuse (Aldrin & Abraham, 2009).

XI. Diagnostic Impression with Differential Justification

Stress can be a defining factor for numerous challenges and illnesses. Alcoholism is a disease that can

begin for a variety of reasons (Uhart, Oswald, McCaul, Chong & Wand, 2006). Besides family history,

stress can be a factor that promotes alcoholism and its behaviors (Uhart, et al, 2006). The stressful

challenges of being an astronaut, dealing with the fame of being one of the first men on the moon and the

discontent of family life may have played a role in the alcoholic tendencies of Mr. Aldrin. His inability to

control the amount of alcohol he drank is a clear indicator of the progression of this disorder.

The dysphoria created by attempting to be someone you are not can prove too overwhelming for some

individuals. Many people suffering from elements of dysphoria begin to show signs of depression

(Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). The concern of his family and close friends is an indicator that Mr. Aldrin

was headed towards the potential for depression and its maladaptive behaviors. The brief stay in a

psychiatric ward is also an indication that Mr. Aldrin had difficulty dealing with his emotions which can

be a result of depression.

In reviewing the evidence, it can be concluded that Buzz Aldrin showed signs of depression and

alcoholism. Both of these disorders create challenges with mental and emotional stability (Almeida-filho,

et al, 2007). With proper care and continued support from his family it is probable that Mr. Aldrin will be

able to maintain a normal, healthy, functional life

XII. Recommendations

Based on the information provided, it is recommended that Mr. Aldrin begin treatment for Persistent

Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) and alcoholism. There are several methods used for the treatment of

these disorders. For depression, much success has come from both drug and psychological treatments

(Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). In the past, tricyclic antidepressants have been used with some degree of

success, but recent studies have shown that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) preform just as

well with much milder side effects (Getzfeld& Schwartz, 2014). Severe cases may require the use of

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) if other methods do not show results (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). This

does not seem to be a necessary option for Mr. Aldrin.

Psychological treatments such as Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and cognitive-behavioral treatment

are recommended to help Mr. Aldrin deal with life stressor and determine how his feelings promote

inappropriate behaviors. IPT is structured to help individuals view how social issues impact their personal

relationships; cognitive behavior therapy helps individuals identify negative thoughts that could foster

negative feelings that lead to depression (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014).

Recent studies have shown that combining both drug and psychological treatments have greater positive

results than using each treatment alone (Blais, et al, 2013). However, research also shows that there are

numerous side effects from psychotic drugs such as Paxil (Getzfeld & Schwartz, 2014). Treatment for Mr.

Aldrin should begin with IPT and cognitive behavior therapy and the addition of Paxil if the symptoms

persist for more than one year.

Mr. Aldrin’s substance abuse with alcohol seems to stem from his depression disorder. As a result this

condition needs to be monitored as well. The recommended treatment for this issue is first, a

detoxification treatment that will enable his body to control his alcohol cravings. Second, it is

recommended that he join a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous to maintain his sobriety and

give him the social support he needs to remain sober.

Alcohol is a natural depressant, so it is vital for Mr. Aldrin’s depression issues that he eliminates all

alcohol consumption. This is not an easy task and has its structural complications. People with alcohol

addictions, much like drug addictions, tend to go through stages of positive maintenance and then relapse

into abuse again (Ukachi, 2013). To ensure that Mr. Aldrin is able to maintain abstinence from alcohol is

essential that he have the support of his family and friends. This familial support can be as important as

prescription drugs or therapy. With proper support and treatment, Mr. Aldrin has a great chance of

success in managing both of his disorders.

References

Aldrin, B., & Abraham, K. (2009). Magnificent Desolation. New York, NY: Harmony Books

Almeida-Filho, N., Lessa, I., Magalhães, L., Araújo, M. J., Aquino, E., & de Jesus Mari, J.

(2007). Co-occurrence patterns of anxiety, depression and alcohol use disorders.

European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 257(7), 423-431.

Blais, M. A., Malone, J. C., Stein, M. B., Slavin-Mulford, J., O'Keefe, S. M., Renna, M., & Sinclair, S. J.

(2013). Treatment as usual (TAU) for depression: A comparison of psychotherapy,

pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment at a large academic medical center. Psychotherapy,

50(1), 110-118. doi:10.1037/a0031385

Buzz Aldrin Enterprises. (2014). Biography. Retrieved from http://buzzaldrin.com/the-man/biography/

Buzz Eugene Aldrin. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved from

http://www.biography.com/people/buzz-aldrin-9179894.

Findagrave (n.d.) Grave search. Retrieved from http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-

bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=32487286

Getzfeld, A.R.& Schwartz, S (2014) Abnormal psychology DSM-5. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint

Education.

Uhart, M., Oswald, L., McCaul, M. E., Chong, R., & Wand, G. S. (2006). Hormonal responses to

psychological stress and family history of alcoholism. Neuropsychopharmacology, 31(10), 2255-2263.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1301063

Ukachi, M. (2013). Motivational interview; evidence based strategy in the treatment of alcohol and drug

Addiction. IFE Psychologia, 21(3-S), 174-196.