The Diagnosis of Patient Sue

Running head: DIAGNOSING SUE

The Diagnosis of Patient Sue

Shelley Moore

November 28, 2006

Professor Nicole Martinez-Martin

PSY336-0604B-02 Abnormal Psychology

Colorado Technical University

The Diagnosis of Patient Sue

After interviewing patient Sue, I have made a list of possible symptoms that Sue is suffering from.

v Medications to calm the voices, Serquel and Paxil.

v Panic attacks and depression.

v Family history of Schizophrenia.

v Previous use of alcohol and marijuana.

v Claims to have sexual relationships with many men in her neighborhood.

v Sudden mood changes (from calm to irate within seconds).

v Sudden attack on neighbor when confronted about relationship with neighbor's husband.

v Hallucinations or Delusions (man in black). (Colorado Technical University Online, 2006)

Without looking up these symptoms in the DMV IV-TR my initial diagnosis of Sue is that she is suffering from a combination of Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar 1 Disorder, otherwise known as Schizoaffective Disorder.

Upon further research of the Bi-Polar 1 disorder I have found that Sue does not possess enough of the symptoms to meet the criteria of Bi-polar 1 disorder. According to the DMV IV-TR the criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar I disorder, a person must have at least one manic episode. Mania is sometimes referred to as the other extreme to depression. Mania is an intense high where the person feels euphoric, almost indestructible in areas such as personal finances, business dealings, or relationships. They may have an elevated self-esteem, be more talkative than usual, have flight of ideas, a reduced need for sleep, and be easily distracted. The high, although it may sound appealing, will often lead to severe difficulties in these areas, such as spending much more money than intended, making extremely rash business and personal decisions, involvement in dangerous sexual behavior, and/or the use of drugs or alcohol. Depression is often experienced as the high quickly fades and as the consequences of their activities becomes apparent, the depressive episode can be exacerbated. (All Psych Online, 2004) The patient does not exhibit enough symptoms to be diagnosed with Bi-polar 1 disorder.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia typically