Question
What is it about Professor Smith's behavior and symptoms that led his therapist to diagnose him with a mental disorder?
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- To begin, we need to gather information about Professor Smith's behaviors and symptoms that are observable or reported. This could include changes in mood, performance at work, social interactions, physical health, and daily functioning. Show more…
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Gregory Baker was a 20-year-old African American man who was brought to the emergency room (ER) by the campus police of the university from which he had been suspended several months earlier. The police had been called by a professor who reported that Mr. Baker had walked into his classroom shouting, "I am the Joker, and I am looking for Batman." When Mr. Baker refused to leave the class, the professor contacted security. Although Mr. Baker had much academic success as a teenager, his behavior had become increasingly odd during the past year. He quit seeing his friends and spent most of his time lying in bed staring at the ceiling. He lived with several family members but rarely spoke to any of them. He had been suspended from college because of lack of attendance. His sister said that she had recurrently seen him mumbling quietly to himself and noted that he would sometimes, at night, stand on the roof of their home and wave his arms as if he were "conducting a symphony." He denied having an intention of jumping from the roof or having any thoughts of self-harm, but claimed that he felt liberated and in tune with the music when he was on the roof. Although his father and sister had tried to encourage him to see someone at the university's student health office, Mr. Baker had never seen a psychiatrist and had no prior hospitalizations. During the prior several months, Mr. Baker had become increasingly preoccupied with a female friend, Anne, who lived down the street. While he insisted to his family that they were engaged, Anne told Mr. Baker's sister that had hardly ever spoken and certainly were not dating. Mr. Baker's sister also reported that he had written many letters to Anne but never mailed them; instead, they just accumulated on his desk. His family said that they had never known him to use illicit substances or alcohol, and his toxicology screen was negative. When asked about drug use, Mr. Baker appeared angry and did not answer. 1. What are Mr. Baker's symptoms? 2. What is your diagnosis? Why? 3. What is a possible alternative or differential diagnosis (a diagnosis that is less likely but one that should be considered)? 4. Describe one biological treatment that might help Mr. Baker 5. Describe one psychological OR sociocultural treatment that might help Mr. Baker
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