Unit 6 Management Discussion - Case Study Example

Running Head: CASE MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION: CLINICAL SYNDROMES Mental Status Exam The theory and application of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Axis I allows practitioners to understand a client’s mental problem. Procedures on mental status exam outlined within the manual facilitate acquisition and provision of relevant information to clinical officers and case managers. DSM Axis assesses a patient’s problem from five dimensions. This essay appreciates resourcefulness of DSM by applying its first dimension in establishing a case of mental problem with a client.

With respect to the diagnosis, the subject appeared meticulously groomed. The client was unusually perfect and smartly dressed. On the aspect of personality assessment, the client was apparently guarded in his responses. With respect to Summers (2012), the client remained significantly conservative and evasive, with minimum contributions accompanied by a substantial degree of suspicion. The client also appears awkward in behavior and posturing. He displayed consistent impairment in holding inappropriate sitting postures.

The client was anxious throughout the entire diagnosis. During conversations, he appeared distressed and worried by the interview setting. Apart from anxiety, the client also showed significant degrees of emotional withdrawal. He was unexpressive and displayed no sign of change in moods and emotions. According to Summers (2012), this could be seen from the consistent and blunt facial expression of the client throughout the interview. DSM Axis I: Clinical SyndromesBased on results from the mental status exam, numerous syndromes were established within the client’s mental problem.

One symptom is that the client remained blunt and unexpressive for fear of being embarrassed or humiliated by his inappropriate actions. He also displayed elevated self-consciousness by dressing in an unusually smart manner. Summers (2012) say that additional clinical symptoms include the client’s display of extreme worry of being judged by other on what he says. In this regard, he remained rather guarded and evasive during the interview. The client’s sustained and inappropriate sitting postures suggests impairment in physical aspects when placed within a social setting.

Reference ListSummers, N. (2012). Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services. California: Cengage Learning Publishing.