Dsm-Iv Case Studies

DSM-IV Case Studies

By: Kristopher Watkins

PSY 270

Yvonne Stephens

February 15, 2014

Introduction

Within the realms of Psychology there are an abundance of psychological disorders and

mental disabilities. It can become quite confusing and difficult to properly diagnose a patient if

full attention is not paid to the patient and without proper knowledge. The DSM-IV helps us to

properly diagnose patients and reduces the chance of misdiagnosing them with the wrong

disorder, leading no useless treatment and leaving the patient stuck in the same hole. The

following will include several case studies including cause, effect, and possible treatment of each

case, enjoy.

Case Study One

Schizoid Personality Disorder

It would be hard to determine the actual cause of her disorder because no information of

her past is presented. A couple possibilities would be that her disorder was brought on either by

genetics, if someone in her family also shares this disorder, or by her childhood, if her childhood

was inappropriate. Generally, people with this disorder do not seek help because they feel

nothing is wrong with them and often see themselves doing no wrong. Psychotherapy would be

helpful for Josephine as it would allow her to learn new coping skills, as well as better social and

communication skills.

Case Study Two

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

The most ideal causes of Luis’s personality disorder would most likely come from his

parents. Although this is one of the many disorders that theorists argue about. Some would say

the cause is from cold hearted parents that rejected Luis. Others would say that Luis was

pampered and spoiled as a child creating his disorder. It is also believed that loss of family

values and socializing can create selfish and materialistic people. Different theorists approach

this disorder with different therapies, which seems to be the only option for this disorder....