Susan's Psychological Illness

In looking at Susan’s case study, you several factors that are contributing to her depression, and behaviors of acting out. This paper will look at these various factors, as well as the most immediate issues, treatment plans for Susan, and her psychological disorders. Finally, the paper will look at engaging and stabilizing Susan with in her life.
Assessment of Client Susan is presenting with a few different potential mental disorders. These are depression, substance abuse, and sleeping disorders. There are several factors that are contributing to these disorders. The primary factor seems to be sexual abuse. According to the case notes on Susan, she has been sexual abused by her father for the past four years. There may have been other forms of abuse as well they are just not discussed directly in the case notes. Sexual abuse often leads to depression, suicide or attempted suicide. Susan is presenting with both depression and attempted suicide. She was hospitalized due to …show more content…
I believe this could be a significant issue and that it could potentially hinder the treatment process. Since her mother does not believe that the abuse has happened, and Susan seems to have distanced herself from her peers through destructive behaviors including physical altercations, she has little to no support system in place. An article by Esposito and Clum discuss the relationship between child abuse and suicide and the influence of social support systems. The article states “results indicated that adolescents with more severe histories of sexual abuse and high satisfaction with social supports experienced lower levels of suicidal ideation than did those with severe sexual abuse histories and low satisfaction with social supports” (Esposito & Clum, 2002). Therefore, my primary concern with treatment is the lack of a social support