Diana Miller, 25 was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder after being rushed to the hospital following another suicide attempt . Her symptoms and background are outlined in her vignette and will be examined in detail throughout the paper. The purpose of this essay will be to explore the possible additional diagnoses for Diana’s behaviour as well as look deeper into the feasible explanations of how and why her behaviour turned abnormal. Therefore through analyzing the diagnostic features, influence of culture, gender, and environment, in addition to outlining paradigm explanations and possible treatment methods, one can better understand Diana Miller’s diagnoses. 1. Diagnostic Features and Differential …show more content…
There are high levels of comorbidity amongst bulimia (25%), substance use disorder (67%) and narcissistic personality disorder with Diana’s original diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (Ayearst, 2016). The patient exhibits binge-eating and crash diets consistent with the symptoms of bulimia. In addition, Diana was also found to abuse Valium by taking it in larger amounts (from 40mg to 80mg) and prolonged the use despite the issues caused by the substance (Comer, 2015). She also requires an unreasonable amount of attention from her family and therapist, believes she is “better” than any type of treatment or rehabilitation, is sensitive to criticism when she is rejected by men, as well as throws tantrums when people do not listen to her, which are all characteristic symptoms of a narcissistic personality disorder. The diagnostic features that overlap with BPD include impulsivity for bulimia and substance abuse disorder in addition to changing self-image in bulimia, as well as sensitivity to disapproval and rejection, high temper, and entitlement which illustrate the connection with narcissistic personality disorder (Gunderson, 2008). Additionally, although Agoraphobia is not a codable disorder, Diana expresses symptoms when she was afraid to travel without one of her parents as well as felt anxious when she was at work with her
Although Susanna Kaysen’s rebellious and self-harming actions of coping with her psychosis are viewed by some critics as pushing the boundary of sanity, many people have a form of a “borderline personality” that they must accept and individually work towards understanding in order to release themselves from the confines of their disorder. Kaysen commits to a journey of self-discovery, which ultimately allows her to accept and understand herself and her psychosis.
Denise Gilmartin, a 26 year old female, exhibits behaviors which meet criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. Denise exhibits unstable intense interpersonal relationships characterized by idealization and devaluation (Criterion 2). She has a history of brief tumultuous relationships and friendships. They start of with quick intense attachments and are described by Denise as “wonderful” and “incredibly special” (idealization); however, these feelings quickly devolve into “contempt” and “loathing” (devaluation). Additionally, Denise displays an unstable sense of self (Criterion 3). Her unsteady employment history is partially explained by dramatic shifts in interests. She switched from marketing to legal work to waitressing. It is also important to note that interpersonal issues underly most of her
Although Brandy does not go on direct binges, she does pig out on candy and related junk food occasionally. Second, she tries to eat healthy and has defaulted to purging in order to stay skinny. Therefore, Brandy meets the second condition on the DSM-5 checklist for bulimia nervosa: “inappropriate behavior in order to prevent weight gain” (Comer, 2013, p.320). Nonetheless, instead of her symptoms lasting longer than a week, the side-effects of her condition continue endlessly. Lastly, all the signs and symptoms negatively impact Brandy’s self-esteem and self-concept. One could say the entire problem has an “undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation” (Comer, 2013, p.320). For example, Brandy believes no one wants to be around her because they are disgusted by her weight and overall appearance. Therefore, she shuts herself off from her friends and society. When individuals start paying too much attention, she begins to feel nervous and
People with Borderline Personality Disorder tend to view the world as simple as possible. People who view the world like this, confuse the actions of others. (Hoermann et al, 2005) Recurrent thoughts about their relationships with others, lead them to experience extreme emotional reactions, great agony which they have a hard time controlling, which would result in engaging in self-destructive behaviors. Diagnosing a patient with this disorder can be challenging which is why is it is labeled as one of the difficult ones to diagnose. (Hoermann et al, 2005)
Mental health is not the mere absence of illness but it is the sense of harmony and balance for the individual. Aspects associated with the individual include self-worth, sense of accomplishment, and a positive identity (Fontaine, 2009), where as mental illness is the disharmony someone is experiencing. This disharmony affects not only the individual but their friends and family as well as the surrounding community. This disharmony causes the person to be unable to function properly in many aspects of their life (Fontaine, 2009). Disco Di started to display signs of mental illness from the young age of 12. Her behaviours may have been triggered by a traumatic event and have been interfering with her life ever since. I agree with the diagnosis that Disco Di was given which was an Axis I diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Axis II diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This paper is going to explain why I agree with these diagnoses as well as genetic and cultural factors and treatment method for them.
The psychiatrist recommended that she be admitted to a mental hospital for women, where she can rest and recover. Another sign of the Borderline Personality Disorder is c...
This paper looks at a person that exhibits the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In the paper, examples are given of symptoms that the person exhibits. These symptoms are then evaluated using the DSM-V criteria for BPD. The six-different psychological theoretical models are discussed, and it is shown how these models have been used to explain the symptoms of BPD. Assessment of
In order for someone to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, they must experience at least five of the following symptoms: 1) fear of abandonment, 2) a history of intense and unstable relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, which often go back and forth between idealization (which includes love and extreme closeness) to devaluation (which includes extreme hatred or anger), 3) a disto...
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects about 4% of the general population, and at least 20% of the clinical psychiatric population. (Kernberg and Michels, 2009) In the clinical psychiatric population, about 75% of those with the disorder are women. BPD is also significantly heritable, with 42-68% of the variance associated with genetic factors, similar to that of hypertension. BPD can also develop due to environmental factors such as childhood neglect and/or trauma, insecure attachment, and exposure to marital, family, and psychiatric issues. (Gunderson, 2011)
Considering the growing preoccupation of teenage girls with their weight and their bodies, eating disorders have become even more of a concern. In light of the fact that mortality in anorexia nervosa is among the highest of all psychiatric disorders, it is increasingly important to understand what causes eating disorders and how best to treat them (Herzog et al., 1996). A meaningful area of research to consider when trying to understand eating disorders is comorbidity. Such psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders, affective disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse have been found to coexist, at least to some degree, with the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. This paper will examine how anxiety disorders have been found to interact with both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Shameless is a U.S TV show that has quickly gathered a cult-like following. The show focuses on a family, the Gallagher’s, and their fight to survive in the Southside of Chicago. The father is an alcoholic and relies on schemes to make money, forcing the children to learn to fend for themselves and rely on their friends in the neighborhood. One of these friends is a middle aged woman named Sheila Jackson, and it is very clear from the first time her character is introduced that she is definitely abnormal and has trouble functioning. Sheila suffers from Agoraphobia, fear and avoidance of situations which causes a person to feel unsafe. (Durand & Barlow, 2016) In Sheila’s case, her agoraphobia causes her to be unable to leave her home. This causes
Rorty M, Yager J, & Rossotto E (1994). Childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse in bulimia nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 151, 1122-1126.
According to the Mayo Clinic Staff (2015) a symptom of borderline personality disorder may include, “suicidal threats or behavior or self-injury, often in response to fear of separation or rejection” (p.2). Medea portrays suicidal behavior many times within the play.
Many people remember Princess Diana for her very fragile and loving nature, however during an interview with BBC, she often remarks “I am a very strong person,” an ironic statement for someone whose life was full of challenges and disappointments (Elliot& Pederson, 1995, p.62). Beginning with her birth on July 1, 1961 to aristocratic parents Viscount and Viscountess Johnnie and Frances Althorp, Princess Diana (then Diana Frances Spencer) believed she was a disappointment to her parents because she was not born a baby boy, the desired heir to the Spencer estate. Feelings of disappointment continued for Diana during her parent’s divorce at the age of six and her father’s second marriage to Raine (a woman she despised) when she was 16. Shortly after her father’s marriage to Raine, Diana failed her “O-levels” (or college placement tests), and was sent to a Swiss finishing school to develop her passion for skiing rather than focus on academics. It was based on this new sense of freedom that caused Diana to exhibit problematic behaviors, such as relentless stubbornness and lying, as well as early symptoms of an eating disorder (Elliot & Pederson, 1995). Thus, it is the purpose of this paper to examine how the events of Diana’s life in conjunction with psychological components contributed to her development of bulimia nervosa.
Self-destructive behaviors are also very common in individuals with Borderline personality disorder. Susanna validates this trait by her lack of motivation, conversations about suicide, and her suicide For example; Lisa, the diagnosed sociopath, displays very little empathy for those around her. This is made clear when she sees Daisy’s post suicide body and is not saddened whatsoever. Another accurate portrayal is the patient with anorexia nervosa Janet. Janet refuses to eat, is in denial about her condition, is emotionally labile, and is always exercising.