Application of Clinical Psychology

Application of Clinical Psychology

Daniel Hernandez, Heather Fullerton, Rebecca Gilbert, Kandi Heckathorne, and Steven V. Odemns

PSY/480

September 15, 2014

Stephany Fullerton

Application of Clinical Psychology

In the case of Joseph Westbecker, he consistently showed four themes central to the diagnosis of affect disorder (depression, suicidal ideation, mania, and anger) (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009). In the early 1980s, Joseph’s disorder was to be discovered by a physician at the time that was treating him for inflammation on his shoulder. Soon after his diagnosis, Joe was referred to a psychiatric unit where he would undergo treatment for agitation and depression. In the years to follow, Joseph was in and out of relationships, had difficulty with his step-children, and had resentment towards his wife’s ex-husband. As a result to Joseph’s behavior, she then divorced him due to several suicidal threats. After the divorce was finalized, Joseph began to demonstrate severe symptoms of agitation and anger which later led him to collect guns, read gun magazines, and even bring a weapon to his workplace. In 1987, Joe began seeking the help of a psychiatrist who diagnosed him with Bipolar Disorder at first and later re-diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. He was then on and off of several types of medication, none of which seemed to have helped which resulted in the deterioration of his condition. This dreadful state Joe was in led him to go on a shooting rampage which resulted in many deaths and several injured. Joseph would then finalize his violent act by turning the gun on himself. The following paper will provide a brief overview of our selected case; discuss the biological, psychological, and social factors involved in our case, and use the selected case study to explain which interventions would be appropriate in the field of clinical psychology. In addition, each intervention will provide the following: the rationale for selecting the...