Psycho-Social Assessment Project

The primary diagnosed psycho-social problems in the present case are Major Depressive Disorder Single Episode with Psychotic Features and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is a wealth of theoretical and empirical research on each of these disorders, to be discussed below. The challenge for the researcher is to narrow the discussion to the theories most relevant to the presenting case.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994) places depression within the sphere of affective disorders that are primarily disturbances of mood; in major depression, the individual is deeply sad and discouraged and likely to lose

weight and energy, to have suicidal thoughts and feelings of self-reproach (APA, 1994). A distinction is made between major depression and bipolar disorder; in the latter case, episodes of both major depression and mania are commonplace. It has been estimated that while depression in children is largely unrecognized and misunderstood by parents and professionals, as much as 10 percent of children in this country suffer some for

of depression before age 12 (Dolgan, 1990). Depression

is, in fact, so common that psychologists have described it as the "common coldö of psychopathology (Furman & Bender, 2003; Davison & Neale, 1990).

Furman and Bender (2003) listed a number of factors that professiona

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ôworthlessö simply because he or she failed an examination or was rejected by someone they asked out. Cognitive therapists attempt to make their patients aware of these distorted thinking patterns, also known as cognitive distortions, and to change them through a process known as cognitive restructuring. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) integrates the cognitive restructuring approach of cognitive therapy with the behavioral modification techniques of behavioral therapy. Ford-Martin (1999) states that the cognitive-behavioral therapist works with the patient to identify both the thoughts and the behaviors that are causing distress and to change those thoughts in order to readjust the behavior. In some cases, an individual may have certain fundamental core beliefs called schemas that are flawed and require modification. By restructuring these schemas, the patient learns new behaviors and also comes to recognize the irrationality of his or her belief system. Cognitive therapy owes much to the pioneering work of Albert Ellis and the development of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT or RT) (Albert Ellis Institute, 2001). REBT is a practical, action-oriented approach to coping with problems and enhancing personal growth.
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3504
Approximate Pages = 14 (250 words per page)

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