Read the following scenarios and provide a diagnosis for each. Also provide your rationale for the diagnosis. Each scenario is worth 50 points.
1. Lois is a 41 year old African American female. She is divorced and the mother of three adolescents. Lois was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit of her local hospital due to depression and positive suicidal ideation. She reports that she has been abusing a substantial amount of cocaine over the past few weeks, because it makes her “feel numb so that nothing matters.” The escalation in drug use and her recurrent thoughts of suicide coincide with the investigation of her home by child protective services. CPS began investigating Lois’s home due to allegation of sexual molestation toward Lois’s oldest daughter by her live in boyfriend. The boyfriend has denied the charges. Lois is devastated by this and is unsure about whom to believe. Lois does not understand how her boyfriend could do such a thing.
Although she is a registered nurse, Lois’s license was suspended 5 years ago due to drug use, and she has been unemployed since then. She has completed a number of drug rehabs, but has been unable to stay sober. She has had a series of abusive relationships with boyfriends. The family lives in a neighborhood characterized by heavy drug trafficking and frequent violence. Lois has been the victim of several muggings and nearly raped on other occasions. Her son was grazed by a bullet as the result of a drive by shooting.
In addition to two previous inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations precipitated by suicide threats, Lois has an extensive history of outpatient treatment with various therapists and psychiatrists. She has often been noncompliant with treatment recommendations, frequently “acted out” strong feelings toward her therapists with suicidal threats and gestures, and sexual promiscuity. Various therapists have described her as “untrusting, bordering on paranoid,” “hostile,” and “dependant.”
Over the course of several years, Lois has reported myriad symptoms and has been given a variety of diagnoses. She describes frequent episodes characterized by sad and irritable mood, sleep disturbance (difficulty falling and staying asleep), weight loss, loss of interest and pleasure, decreased energy, low self esteem, a sense of futility, and frequent suicide attempts, usually with the expectation of being rescued.
A wide range of medication has been prescribed with little or no effect. During her last episode, Lois was described as particularly difficult. She hurled racial epithets at the staff and precipitated an explosion of racial tensions on the ward. She would only speak to African American personnel and would dismiss suggestions made by white clinicians. Upon discharge, her psychiatrist concluded that the diagnostic entity that most succinctly captured her array of behaviors and symptoms was Borderline Personality Disorder.
Upon admission, Lois was given a battery of medical tests due to somatic complaints. It was discovered that Lois currently is suffering from hypertension and type II diabetes.
What would Lois’s current diagnosis(es) be? What is the rationale for her diagnosis(es)?
What Students Are Saying About Us
.......... Customer ID: 12*** | Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Honestly, I was afraid to send my paper to you, but you proved you are a trustworthy service. My essay was done in less than a day, and I received a brilliant piece. I didn’t even believe it was my essay at first 🙂 Great job, thank you!"
.......... Customer ID: 11***| Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This company is the best there is. They saved me so many times, I cannot even keep count. Now I recommend it to all my friends, and none of them have complained about it. The writers here are excellent."
"Order a custom Paper on Similar Assignment at essayfount.com! No Plagiarism! Enjoy 20% Discount!"
