Part I – Vignette/DSM V Diagnosis based on Symptomatology
It appears that the most appropriate diagnosis for John is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a fact that he is a combat veteran. He won’t discuss his experiences of his tour of duty in Afghanistan. However, it is reasonable to assume - always a risky thing to do - that his experiences were indeed traumatic. A vital clue can be found in the way that he responds to the query about his experiences. He says that it is “…like nothing you could ever imagine.” That is strong evidence that he witnessed, or was directly involved in, close contact with enemy combatants in a war zone.
There is one thing that is not mentioned in the vignette – a timeline. If the symptom pattern began …show more content…
First of all, I am there to serve as his advocate. At the outset, and during the session, I would make it clear to him that I am there to look after him, John, as my client. After having been in combat, he might have trust issues. John might be hypervigilant and feel that he has to be on guard because he might get hurt at any moment, a line of thinking that one would almost expect from a combat soldier. As for my having to report his abusive behavior towards his father, I would let him know that I am doing this in order to protect his father. This last point might be one of contention with John, who, although he did not deny his behavior, might be tempted to minimize it. Therefore, my reporting the abusive behavior to APS might be the most difficult part of the session, as I would not want to alienate John as my client. With regards his diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, I would be very clear and frank with John and Nancy. I would explain to them that, based upon their account of his behavior at home after his tour of duty that it certainly seems that he is suffering from trauma stemming from his experiences in war-torn Afghanistan. It is also very important that Nancy be given a full explanation of her husband’s disorder, and how it is treated. As his wife and partner, she needs to be aware of what to expect and how to …show more content…
In order for me to be at my best, I need to attend to all parts of my life. Thus, my self-care has to encompass not just one form of personal recovery, such as sleep, but multiple forms of personal care. But, in taking the body as the foundation of the personality, I have found that only by getting a good night’s rest can I truly be effective in my work. If I am not sleeping well, I become overly sensitive and emotional. Things such as sad narratives affect me more if I am running a sleep deficit. Given the fact that, as social workers, many of our clients will relay very melancholic and even tragic stories to us, I know that I need to be rested and well-slept in order to listen to those stories with a certain amount of equanimity. This is not to say that I want to be stoic in my profession. I realize that the best way for social workers to connect with clients is to be empathic, and that requires a certain “resonance” with the problems of the client. But, I just don’t want to burst into tears when I hear the next sad story that is relayed to me by one of my clients. But, there are other ways that I recharge my batteries. I need time with my family, and that means spending time with my partner and my dad. Both of them are my foundation, my source of strength, and time with both of them gives me the focus and clarity I need to be my best. Seeing them reminds
It appears that the most appropriate diagnosis for John is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is a fact that he is a combat veteran. He won’t discuss his experiences of his tour of duty in Afghanistan. However, it is reasonable to assume - always a risky thing to do - that his experiences were indeed traumatic. A vital clue can be found in the way that he responds to the query about his experiences. He says that it is “…like nothing you could ever imagine.” That is strong evidence that he witnessed, or was directly involved in, close contact with enemy combatants in a war zone.
There is one thing that is not mentioned in the vignette – a timeline. If the symptom pattern began …show more content…
First of all, I am there to serve as his advocate. At the outset, and during the session, I would make it clear to him that I am there to look after him, John, as my client. After having been in combat, he might have trust issues. John might be hypervigilant and feel that he has to be on guard because he might get hurt at any moment, a line of thinking that one would almost expect from a combat soldier. As for my having to report his abusive behavior towards his father, I would let him know that I am doing this in order to protect his father. This last point might be one of contention with John, who, although he did not deny his behavior, might be tempted to minimize it. Therefore, my reporting the abusive behavior to APS might be the most difficult part of the session, as I would not want to alienate John as my client. With regards his diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, I would be very clear and frank with John and Nancy. I would explain to them that, based upon their account of his behavior at home after his tour of duty that it certainly seems that he is suffering from trauma stemming from his experiences in war-torn Afghanistan. It is also very important that Nancy be given a full explanation of her husband’s disorder, and how it is treated. As his wife and partner, she needs to be aware of what to expect and how to …show more content…
In order for me to be at my best, I need to attend to all parts of my life. Thus, my self-care has to encompass not just one form of personal recovery, such as sleep, but multiple forms of personal care. But, in taking the body as the foundation of the personality, I have found that only by getting a good night’s rest can I truly be effective in my work. If I am not sleeping well, I become overly sensitive and emotional. Things such as sad narratives affect me more if I am running a sleep deficit. Given the fact that, as social workers, many of our clients will relay very melancholic and even tragic stories to us, I know that I need to be rested and well-slept in order to listen to those stories with a certain amount of equanimity. This is not to say that I want to be stoic in my profession. I realize that the best way for social workers to connect with clients is to be empathic, and that requires a certain “resonance” with the problems of the client. But, I just don’t want to burst into tears when I hear the next sad story that is relayed to me by one of my clients. But, there are other ways that I recharge my batteries. I need time with my family, and that means spending time with my partner and my dad. Both of them are my foundation, my source of strength, and time with both of them gives me the focus and clarity I need to be my best. Seeing them reminds