Reference no: EM134014814

Assignment:

Mr. Fife

Mr. Fife is a 25 year old, Asian single man living with his mother and working at the post office where he has been employed since he dropped out of college after 2 years. He complains of "nervousness" and says he is "just going through the motions" and "wants to lead a normal life and return to college." His father abandoned him soon after his birth and divorced his mother. During his adolescence and young adulthood he had no close friends, but formed several close relationships in college. However, he states he became "super self conscious" when speaking to strangers and classmates, feel nervous and had difficulty speaking. He had a "buzzing" in his head, felt like he was "outside his body," had hot flashes and perspired. He called these experiences "panic attacks" that came on suddenly when he was with people. He became increasingly uncomfortable in social situations and was "afraid of doing something stupid." He finally dropped out of school. To deal with his discomfort he tried various drugs to medicate his symptoms and enjoyed some relief. His physician discovered he had mitral valve prolapse and treated him with medication, but it provided no change in his anxiety.

Mr. Fife feels that at the post office he does not have to deal with people. He avoids public restrooms and uses a stall rather than a urinal. He has 2 best friends but does not date and avoids group settings. He has no problems with authority figures.

Questions:

1. What is his diagnosis?
2. What are the symptoms that helped you make this diagnosis? What diagnostic criteria do they relate to?
3. What are two other possible diagnoses and why did you not choose them?
4. What kinds of psychological interventions would be appropriate in this case?
5. What is his prognosis?
6. List DSM criteria that matches with Mr Fife symptoms.