Case Study: Martin is a 21-year-old business major at a large university. Over the past few weeks, his family and friends have noticed increasingly bizarre behaviors. On many occasions, they've overheard him whispering in an agitated voice, even though there is no one nearby. Lately, he has refused to answer or make calls on his cell phone, claiming that if he does, it will activate a deadly chip that was implanted in his brain by evil aliens. His parents have tried to get him to go with them to a psychiatrist for an evaluation, but he refuses. He has accused them on several occasions of conspiring with the aliens to have him killed so they can remove his brain and put it inside one of their own. He has stopped attending classes altogether. He is now so far behind in his coursework that he will fail if something doesn't change very soon. Although Martin occasionally has a few beers with his friends, he's never been known to abuse alcohol or use drugs. However, he does have an estranged aunt who has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals over the years due to erratic and bizarre behavior.
Case Study: Terry complains that he is experiencing recurrent episodes of lightheadedness, rapid breathing, and dizziness, especially as he attempts to leave his house. The symptoms have become so severe that, in fact, he is leaving his house less and less frequently. He now only goes to the grocery store in the company of his sister. Once in the store, he checks immediately for the exits and windows so that he may escape freely in case there is a problem in the grocery store. How can you diagnose Terry and help him with his psychological difficulties?
