Biopsychosocial Assessment – Melvin Udall
I. Identifying Information
Melvin Udall is a middle-aged male white male living in New York City. He is a famous literary author, as an unmarried individual he lives on his own in a multi story apartment building.
II. Reason for Referral/Presenting Problem
Melvin has self-referred for what he describes as obsessive behaviors. He finds himself falling into habitual and socially abnormal routines that at times are obsessive. Examples include avoidance stepping on lines and cracks, using utensils at a restaurant, and sitting in the same place in particular locations. He notes that these problems have been on going for several years. He states that he would like some freedom from his routine as the need …show more content…
He has developed patterns of behavior and speech that have kept him safe and barricaded from engaging in interpersonal relationships. His worry is focused on maintaining those patterns and his temperament is changed when things get unhinged or changed. Melvin has little control over his impulses, the unusual behavior seems to be a coping strategy for continued disconnect with others. He is smart and capable of functioning, he has found a career at which he is successful that does not require him to interact with others. Melvin reports that he has recently bonded with the neighbors dog, which indicates potential to develop other important relationships in his life. With expanded self-awareness and developed empathy, there is a relatively good chance that Melvin will be able to achieve more freedom from his routines and find meaningful relationships in his life.
Differential Diagnosis
299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder; Level 1in severity of both social communication and restricted/repetitive behavior. Melvin has been observed as lacking social-emotional reciprocity, with poor communication skills and he describes deficits in developing and maintaining relationships. Melvin is also prone to insistence on inflexible routines and repetitive motor movements and speech patterns.
VI. Intervention …show more content…
We will explore any complicated feelings he has related to his attendance or interactions.
Flexibility: Melvin recognizes that his lack of flexibility with his routines and behaviors has significantly impacted his ability to maintain personal relationships. The goal therefore is to modify his angered response to changes in his pattern along with exploring opportunities to be more flexible in his thinking, speech and patterns.
Objective 1: In our first few sessions we will brainstorm opportunities to be more flexible in his routine. Melvin will pick one of those opportunities to practice for one-month period. We will review his thoughts and feelings regarding times he chose to be more flexible.
Objective 2: Melvin and I will develop a list of appropriate responses for when there is a sudden change to his daily routine. For example if his favorite waitress is not available, we will develop strategies that he can implement to deal with change in a more socially acceptable
I. Identifying Information
Melvin Udall is a middle-aged male white male living in New York City. He is a famous literary author, as an unmarried individual he lives on his own in a multi story apartment building.
II. Reason for Referral/Presenting Problem
Melvin has self-referred for what he describes as obsessive behaviors. He finds himself falling into habitual and socially abnormal routines that at times are obsessive. Examples include avoidance stepping on lines and cracks, using utensils at a restaurant, and sitting in the same place in particular locations. He notes that these problems have been on going for several years. He states that he would like some freedom from his routine as the need …show more content…
He has developed patterns of behavior and speech that have kept him safe and barricaded from engaging in interpersonal relationships. His worry is focused on maintaining those patterns and his temperament is changed when things get unhinged or changed. Melvin has little control over his impulses, the unusual behavior seems to be a coping strategy for continued disconnect with others. He is smart and capable of functioning, he has found a career at which he is successful that does not require him to interact with others. Melvin reports that he has recently bonded with the neighbors dog, which indicates potential to develop other important relationships in his life. With expanded self-awareness and developed empathy, there is a relatively good chance that Melvin will be able to achieve more freedom from his routines and find meaningful relationships in his life.
Differential Diagnosis
299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder; Level 1in severity of both social communication and restricted/repetitive behavior. Melvin has been observed as lacking social-emotional reciprocity, with poor communication skills and he describes deficits in developing and maintaining relationships. Melvin is also prone to insistence on inflexible routines and repetitive motor movements and speech patterns.
VI. Intervention …show more content…
We will explore any complicated feelings he has related to his attendance or interactions.
Flexibility: Melvin recognizes that his lack of flexibility with his routines and behaviors has significantly impacted his ability to maintain personal relationships. The goal therefore is to modify his angered response to changes in his pattern along with exploring opportunities to be more flexible in his thinking, speech and patterns.
Objective 1: In our first few sessions we will brainstorm opportunities to be more flexible in his routine. Melvin will pick one of those opportunities to practice for one-month period. We will review his thoughts and feelings regarding times he chose to be more flexible.
Objective 2: Melvin and I will develop a list of appropriate responses for when there is a sudden change to his daily routine. For example if his favorite waitress is not available, we will develop strategies that he can implement to deal with change in a more socially acceptable