23 Mar Case Study: “Daniel’s Change in Behavior”
Daniel is a 28-year-old man who recently moved back in with his parents after losing his job at a major tech company. Over the past 2 months, Daniel has become increasingly withdrawn. He avoids friends and rarely leaves the house. He has begun to express beliefs that the government is monitoring his online activity through his smart TV. He has taped over the camera and refuses to connect to Wi-Fi. He also believes that certain TV shows are sending him hidden messages. Daniel’s parents are concerned, especially because he has no prior history of psychiatric issues.
In college, Daniel was highly social, successful academically, and active in leadership roles. There’s no known history of substance use. His family is unsure whether this is simply a result of job loss and stress or something more serious. When encouraged to seek help, Daniel refuses, saying they “just wouldn’t understand what’s really happening.”
Assignment Instructions
Read the case study carefully, then complete the following assessment tasks. Use concepts and terminology from Module 1 content in your responses. Your submission should be 1 page double-spaced (300 words) and include in-text citations from course readings or the DSM-5 definition.
Assessment Questions:
1. Diagnostic Reasoning (8 pts)
· Based on the DSM-5-TR criteria, does Daniel appear to meet the definition of a mental disorder? Why or why not? Be sure to reference:
· Clinically significant disturbance
· Dysfunction
· Cultural context and deviance
2. Cultural & Social Context (5 pts)
· Could Daniel’s beliefs or behaviors be considered normal in a different cultural or social context? Why is it important to assess this before making a diagnosis?
3. Historical Comparison (4 pts)
· How might Daniel’s symptoms have been understood or treated in the time of Hippocrates or during the Middle Ages?
4. Perspective Analysis (4 pts)
· How would the medical model and the humanistic model differ in understanding and treating Daniel’s condition?
5. Personal Reflection (4 pts)
· What is one common misconception about “psychosis” or “insanity” that this case helps to clarify for you?
