Although his in the late twenties, he still needs some reinforcement to consider his own life to take it seriously and listen to his friend who looks after him. According to Erikson (1980), individuals between 13 and 20 years of age face challenges of developing an identity versus overcoming role confusion. Within this age, stage, they often ask questions such as “Who am I, where do I belong” and what is my purpose? At the end of this life stage, Erikson believes that these individuals should form and identity. As such, Nathaniel is experiencing a crisis due to his current inability to develop a healthy stable …show more content…
Nathaniel meets the criteria for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed, and schizophrenia. The client’s presenting problem the complaining of hearing voices, agitation, and argumentativeness is due to his inability to develop an identity and decide on future goals. Cognitive theory posits that as individuals develop from infancy through old age, they develop and maintain beliefs about themselves and the world. These beliefs develop around important themes or social issues such as success and failure, acceptance and rejection, and respect and disdain (Beck, 1991). Nathaniel’s behavior reflected both success and failure as his core beliefs suggest that he is a