Clinical Psychology Paper

Diagnosis Paper

Jeweldeen Alli

PSYC 436 6980

Clinical Psychology

Professor I Tucker

February 20, 2012

Diagnosis

I believe that the client has a 301.83 Borderline Personality Disorder because the client demonstrates impulsive behavior, unstable mood and interpersonal relationships. The client has many impulsive behaviors that corresponds to someone with a borderline disorder including drinking in order to go to sleep and self mutilation. According to the DSM, “ A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts”. This patient fits many of the criteria for someone who has borderline personality disorder. Their are at least five criteria someone must pass in order to be diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder, According to the DSM “ 1.frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment , 2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation , 3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self , 4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, Substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating) , 5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior , 6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days) , 7. chronic feelings of emptiness , 8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights) , 9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.

  . A central feature that the client has is relationship problems which can be displayed in how the client treats her relationships with men. The client has deemed all of the men she has ever dated as “ no good to begin with “ , which creates trust issues when she is in any relationship. The clients family history may have a lot to do with how she treats men. The client also exhibits bouts of manipulative and jealous behavior when having to share her roommates with other people. The client also has Impulsive / reckless behaviors such as having a series of one night stands , and wondering around aimlessly at night. She is also very emotionally unstable stemming from early adolescents until adulthood. Another central