Kenneth is a 30-year-old military veteran who has recently sought psychological evaluation for a range of distressing symptoms. He has experienced these issues since his return from active duty in a combat zone two years ago. He reports that he has significant trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. He often experiences nightmares related to his wartime experiences, leading to frequent awakenings. Drenched in sweat and with an elevated heart rate, he typically lies awake for hours after these nightmares, struggling to return to sleep. Additionally, Kenneth frequently experiences heightened alertness and irritability. He is easily startled, and sudden loud noises or unexpected events trigger intense reactions, often leading to a sense of impending danger. He describes vivid and
Kenneth is a 30-year-old military veteran who has recently sought psychological evaluation for a range of distressing symptoms. He has experienced these issues since his return from active duty in a combat zone two years ago. He reports that he has significant trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. He often experiences nightmares related to his wartime experiences, leading to frequent awakenings. Drenched in sweat and with an elevated heart rate, he typically lies awake for hours after these nightmares, struggling to return to sleep. Additionally, Kenneth frequently experiences heightened alertness and irritability. He is easily startled, and sudden loud noises or unexpected events trigger intense reactions, often leading to a sense of impending danger. He describes vivid and distressing flashbacks and intrusive thoughts related to combat experiences. These intrusions disrupt his daily life and often lead to emotional distress and heightened anxiety. As a coping mechanism, Kenneth has been using alcohol, although it is not to the level of alcohol use disorder. He also goes to great lengths to avoid situations, people, or places that remind him of his wartime trauma. He avoids discussing his experiences with others and has withdrawn from social activities he once enjoyed. Moreover, Kenneth has noticed a significant decline in his ability to concentrate and complete tasks both at work and in his personal life. This has led to a loss of employment and a strained family life.
1. What specific symptoms are reported in the case? Provide a comprehensive enumeration.
2. Based on the information provided, what is your provisional diagnosis of the patient/client’s condition? Justify your answer.
3. What other information is necessary to confirm the suggested diagnosis? Are there any other disorders or medical conditions that should be ruled out?
4. Are there any factors in the patient’s history that might contribute to the development of the disorder? Please identify the factor(s) and explain how they influenced the condition
5. What treatment approaches or interventions could be effective for the diagnosed disorder(s)?
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