Dependency Assessment

The client’s psychological symptoms and personality functioning was evaluated with using the MMPI-2. The client’s response profile indicates personality characterized by high level of anxiety and worry, as well as a tendency for self-criticism, a lack of self-confidence, depressive mood, impulsivity, and mistrust of others. It is likely to be challenging for him to trust primary others would stay. His anticipation for something to go wrong and/or unpredictably being abandoned by people he loves exaggerates his worry. Such worry leads him to feel on edge and suspicious of others. He makes attempt to reduce anxiety by seeking reassurance; however, it is challenging for him to trust the reassurance given to him. In turn, he ends up feeling overwhelmed, …show more content…
A potential substance use coupling with a tendency for impulsivity raises concerns for problems in interpersonal relationship and health. In addition, his substance use might be contributing to his experience of anxiety, depressive mood, guilt, social isolation and mistrust of others. Thus, substance use is likely to be perpetuating his struggles. Additional substance use and dependency assessment is useful to evaluate the presence of problematic substance use. The results of substance use and dependency assessment would lead to a better understanding of his difficulties. The assessment would also assist to identify an appropriate treatment …show more content…
Developing coping skills for anxiety and depressive symptoms is also critical in reducing overall distress. It is likely to be difficult for him to stay in a treatment relationship due to his mistrust, anticipatory anxiety, and impulsivity. He is likely to terminate the treatment relationship prematurely as he would not be able to tolerate tense worry about being abandoned by the therapist while they are developing rapport necessary for a successful treatment. A short-term skill-based treatment such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) would be helpful. These therapeutic approaches would help him to identify his cognitive patterns, which contribute and perpetuate problems in intra- and interpersonal relationship. These approaches are also typically conducted in a time limited manner that would help him to tolerate fear of abandonment. After gaining some insights and coping skills, the client may benefit from a treatment based on a relational approach to further examine, comprehend, and cope with relational challenges, past trauma, and