Diagnosis for Case #1
Question 1: Diagnosis
Carl Landau has several psychological disorders. The following are the diagnosed cases:
- Anxiety disorder – some symptoms of an anxiety disorder include panic, phobias, and obsessions. Landau experienced the fear of his family experiencing a tragic event.
- Depression – The common symptoms of depression include mood disorder. Landau experienced varying moods. For instance, Landau isolated himself from family and friends. Besides, he neglected his appearance.
- Eating disorder – Landau had negative thoughts about food and eating disorders. Landau refused meals and began to take feeds alone. Besides, Landau felt that eating was barbaric because he made hissing noises, coughs and hacks, and severe head tossing.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – some of the symptoms include repeated unwanted thoughts such as sensations and compulsions (Monzani, Rijsdijk, Harris, & Mataix-Cols, 2014). Landau developed the behavior of repeating some activities like ensuring that the curtain and wastebasket were in the right place.
Question 2: Considered but Ruled out Diagnosis
Anxiety disorder was the first diagnosis considered but ruled out because it has a strong correlation with OCD. According to Monzani, Rijsdijk, Harris, and Mataix-Cols (2014), anxiety is a risk behavior observed among people with OCD conditions. This statement implies that OCD and anxiety disorder share some symptoms. From a practical perspective, there exists a possibility to classify anxiety as one of the symptoms of OCD. From the case study, the panic, and phobias that Landau experienced may have caused the obsession. For instance, ensuring that the curtain and wastebaskets remained in the most appropriate place was an effective way that Landau used to distract his mind from everyday stressors. Therefore, anxiety disorder was ruled out because it shared symptoms with OCD.
The second diagnosis ruled out was depression because it had a close relationship with OCD. According to Monzani, Rijsdijk, Harris, and Mataix-Cols (2014), depression is a risk behavior observed among people with OCD conditions. This statement implies that a patient living with OCD can experience symptoms of depression. Ruling out depression suggests that one could consider some of the signs in OCD. For instance, Landau isolated himself from family and friends. Such behaviors may be regarded as obsessions experienced. Therefore, depression is not a significant disorder since its symptoms appear in OCD.
Question 3: Genetic versus Environmental Causes
Genetic factors play an instrumental role in causing OCD. Findings from a recent study revealed that genetics influence between 45% and 65% of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms among children (van Grootheest, Cath, Beekman, & Boomsma, 2005). This statement implies that genes have a severe impact on the obsessions that people develop. However, the trend decreases as people enter adulthood. For instance, between 27% and 47% of adults develop OCD due to genetic factors (van Grootheest, Cath, Beekman, & Boomsma, 2005). The lower percentage of OCD occurrence among adults does not rule out that genetic factors were not instruments al in causing OCD. From a practical perspective, some activities like ensuring that curtain and wastebaskets were in the right place may have resulted from a genetic disorder. Therefore, genetic factors were instrumental in the occurrence of the behavioral disease and obsessions observed in the case study.
Psychoanalytic theory shows that environmental factors play a crucial role in causing OCD. Some elements, like early traumatic experiences, cause OCD among individuals (van Grootheest, Cath, Beekman, & Boomsma, 2005). This statement implies that people experience various harsh conditions that influence specific behaviors. In most cases, childhood experiences have significant impacts on specific actions observed. From a practical perspective, some abnormal behaviors noted like queer eating practices and excessive fear of experiencing a tragedy may have resulted from past traumatic experiences. Landau may have undergone harsh experiences that caused him to develop psychological challenges. Therefore, environmental factors were responsible for some behavioral disorders observed in the case-study.
Question 4: Recommended Treatment
Eating Disorder
The most effective way to treat eating disorders includes a combination of psychological therapy, nutrition education, and adequate medical monitoring. Psychological treatment focuses on identifying the mental challenges that cause Landau to develop an eating disorder. This method intends to identify the primary cause of the problem. Besides, the approach can act as the basis of effective treatment. Nutrition education will ensure that Landau gains adequate knowledge about the importance of proper feeding habits. Landau will learn the most effective meals and feeding habits that can result in promoting his health. Medical monitoring will ensure that Landau adopts the recommended feeding behavior. A medical practitioner will supervise the feeding habits and administer any necessary medication that Landau may require. Combining the three methods will support the development of sustainable solutions.
OCD
Psychotherapy and medications are the most suitable methods for treating OCD conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective psychotherapy method to handle Landau’s case. The technique will involve exposing Landau to the obsessions that affect him. Medical practitioners will trait him to acquire effective ways of resisting the urge to execute the compulsive rituals. This method will ensure that Landau overcomes the temptations to engage in specific rituals when feeding. Landau will receive adequate medications to control the obsessions and compulsions of his OCD. The antidepressant will be the most common type of drugs, which will help Landau to overcome his chronic levels of stress. The medical officers will monitor the medication to avoid the development of possible adverse outcomes. Therefore, combining psychotherapy and medications in dealing with Landau’s case will increase the level of the expected results.
Question 5: Extra Information
Landau’s childhood experiences and medical history are some of the details that one would like to know to develop an effective medical plan. Childhood experiences are some of the environmental factors that promote psychological problems. Understanding the specific early experiences may improve the ability to create practical solutions to the current mental challenges. Previous medical history can guide on selecting the most effective drugs that Landau should take. The following questions will inform the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Have you ever experienced any form of domestic violence during your childhood?
- Have you ever received any form of medication due to related psychological challenges?
- Do you have records of your medical history?
- Do you have a close relative with an existing psychological problem?
References
Monzani, B., Rijsdijk, F., Harris, J., & Mataix-Cols, D. (2014). The structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for dimensional representations of DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(2), 182. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.3524
van Grootheest, D. S., Cath, D. C., Beekman, A. T., & Boomsma, D. I. (2005). Twin studies on obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 8(5), 450–458. https://doi.org/10.1375/twin.8.5.450