Mr. Conklin, according to the file information provided by Ambitions and DDA, was given an Axis I diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type by history. History of Poly-substance dependence in sustained remission with environment. Axis II: Cluster B personality traits, mild intellectual disability, by Psychologist Kristin Ihrig.
Mr. Conklin continues to take the following medications: Divalproex 250mg twice daily and Olanzapine …show more content…
Conklin has not had any known major incidents within his home and out in the community this reporting period. There have been several staff complaints about Mr. Conklin asking for money, cigarettes, and targeting staff, when he is denied requests. The thrust behind most of Mr. Conklin’s challenges appears to be cigarettes, and feeling like he has no power and control. Mr. Conklin has smoked cigarettes for many years and it is clear that he has a nicotine addiction, and because he does not have the financial means to feed this addiction, he spends a lot of his days trying to convince others for cigarettes or money to purchase cigarettes. At this time, Mr. Conklin is on a program that limits his smoking frequency; he receives one cigarette (5 maximum) every two hours per day starting when he wakes up in the morning. This program was imposed because if Mr. Conklin was allowed to manage his smoking habit on his own, he would smoke an entire pack of cigarettes in one sitting and then spend the rest of the day organized around how to obtain more, or get money to purchase more cigarette. This, historically, appears to have created a management issue for the staff at Ambitions. While this program appears to be functioning at this time, Mr. Conklin, at times, attempts to usurp the program rules and manipulate staff, and sometimes his housemates, for money and/or cigarettes. This is an ongoing challenge and a therapeutic concern because it is partially a power and control issue, at times. Because the staff are in charge of doling out the cigarettes, Mr. Conklin must wait for the staff to give them to him, and if there are any disruptions to the daily routine within the home, this appears to create feelings of resentment and lack of attention to Mr. Conklin’s needs, according to Mr. Conklin. It is during these times that Mr. Conklin has escalated in the past and reacted out of emotion and impulsivity. Mr. Conklin will continue to work on how challenges with