Diagnosis of Carl Abnormal Psychology Case Study

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Diagnosis of CarlCarl, who is 37 years old male, presented with symptoms of depression. Using the Beck’s Depression Scale, the patient scored 23, classifying his diagnosis as moderate depression. The initial visit of Carl to the clinic involved examining the information to examine the current mental state, current symptoms, biographical history, and family history (Clark et al., 2017). This information led to the identification and formulation of the relevant biological, social, and psychological factors affecting Carl’s mood. The evolution of his strategies to regulate his mood was also considered while making the diagnosis. Assessment of Carl’s mental state was accomplished by examining the consistency of themes in the information acquired, such as pessimism, self-harm, hopelessness, and lack of positive thoughts or plans (Park & Zarate, 2019). The Beck’s Depression Scale determines the severity of the depression diagnosis by the symptoms during his intake visit.DiagnosisThe causes of depression are classified into three categories: precipitating, perpetuating, and predisposing causes. Participating causes are immediate instigators of an individual’s behavior. Such behavior includes psychological stresses in the absence of positive emotion and social stresses that emerge from work challenges and significant changes in a person’s living and social conditions. Physical stresses are also considered participatory causes, such as disease and infection (Lumen Learning Abnormal Psychology, 2021). The participatory causes related to the depression diagnosis presented in Carl include his observation of various life stressors. Perpetuating causes worsen the patient’s current condition resulting in depression. The symptoms may include physical inactivity, social distress, psychological distress, emotional distress, and disturbed sleeping patterns. The predisposing causes often are indicated by the biographical history of the patient. The manner they present might be evidence of a certain worldview formulated in childhood.The information obtained from Carl’s intake visit indicated core participatory, perpetuating causes, and minor predisposing causes. The physical stressors, such as gaining 25 pounds, low energy, and a dysregulated appetite, led to the development of these challenges were presented as core symptoms. Psychological stressors presented were the lack of energy, moodiness and irritability, anxiety, worthlessness, inappropriate guilt, helplessness, and a decline in self-esteem (Dickson et al., 2016). The social stressors presented by Carl were his worrying about their financial stability and capability to maintain their middle-class living standards. The feelings of guilt resulting from being under the support of his partner through graduate school and while establishing his business are informed by his empathy. They need to reciprocate their partner’s contribution to their family and economic state that must have been learned in childhood.Principal Symptoms Contributing to the DiagnosisThe principal symptoms that led to the diagnosis of Carl with moderate depression were the presence of a depressed mood and loss of pleasure.

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For a depression diagnosis to be made, these symptoms must be present as behavior or expressed verbally. Carl expressed that he had moodiness and irritability, and four other symptoms must be present and persistent over 12 weeks (Dickson et al., 2016). Carl acknowledged that he lacked positive emotion and was moody, irritable, and had a decline in his self-esteem. The depressive mood presented in behavior as well as verbally. The loss of pleasure was also expressed verbally and behaviourally. Carl acknowledged his interest had decreased, preoccupation with feeling worthless, inappropriate guilt, and helplessness.The presence of a depressive mood was evidenced…

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…the awareness of the changes in his life, resulting in the array of symptoms presented behaviourally and verbally (Lumen Learning Abnormal Psychology, 2021). The areas of improvement to carl include the stable environment at home and his commitment to reversing the downwards spiral of his life. There is tension in Carl’s relationship with his partner, especially during the current economic downturn. However, he has a good and is not scared about the wellness of his three children. A good the children will facilitate the generation of positive emotions. Carl is also aware of his inadequacy in the financial contribution and the absence at home and is willing to remedy this challenge. Therefore, Carl has the opportunity to learn how to maintain a healthy work-life balance and pick some responsibilities at home to assist his partner in domestic duties.Preliminary Sketch of the Treatment GoalsCarl will learn two anxiety management techniques to decrease anxiety symptoms and below three times every week. A therapist will help Carl learn at least two communication strategies that will help in decreasing tension, anxiety between him and his partner. The short-term goal is to decrease these occasions to a point where anxiety occurs less than once per day. This strategy will involve decimating irrational grief and beliefs that propel anxiety. Further, with the help of a therapist, Carl will differentiate the present and past traumas and develop reality based on positive cognitive messages (Dickson et al., 2016). This approach will increase self-confidence and alleviate helplessness and decrease anxiety. The long-term goal will involve reducing the frequency and the intensity of anxiety, helplessness, poor sleep patterns, and feeling guilty to restore normal….....

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