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Mental stability and psychological health are essential for an individual and the maintenance of an appropriate level of his well-being. According to the guidelines, developed by the American Psychiatric Association, therapists can identify particular mental issues with the help of differential assessment. In this situation of Melissa, it is possible to determine adjustment disorder as the mental illness that negatively influences her personal life and psychological condition.
Concerning the case description, it is feasible to assume that Melissa possesses some features of a mental disorder. A mental disease is a condition marked by clinically substantial disruptions in a persons cognition, emotion control, or behavior, as a result of a malfunction in the psychological, physiological, or developmental mechanisms of mental functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Melissas response to the stress of her partners heavy workload may be deemed severe by certain factors, as she acknowledged.
Considering the reason for the visit and symptoms, when Melissa is alone at home on the weekend, she is overtaken by signals of sadness that render her immobile. Melissa also tends to cry to herself and feels terrible for allowing her emotions to control her. In his case, it is possible to suggest the presence of an adjustment disorder. In terms of the criteria the client meets for the diagnosis, criterion B1 can be highlighted. It explains stress that is out of proportionate to the seriousness or duration of the stressor, recognizing the outside environment and cultural variables that may impact the extent and manifestation of symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Thus, the emergence of this criterion can lead to the features of adjustment disorder.
In terms of the prevalent pattern, it can be stated that mood disorder indicators were the most evident for Melissa. In this case, adjustment disorder is prevalent since the scenario does not illustrate the symptoms and signals that refer to other mental illnesses. Adjustment disorders are characterized by the occurrence of behavioral or psychological symptoms concerning a direct stressor (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In general, adjustment disorders are widespread; however, their prevalence varies significantly (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Concerning the risk factors, it can be noted that Melissas background, when she had identical feelings and had remained depressed and upset after her previous relationship ended, can potentially influence her behavior.
Concerning the differential assessment, certain aspects that differentiate adjustment disorder from other diseases can be defined. The differential assessment of adjustment disorder is not relevant if an individual exhibits symptom that matches the criteria for depressive disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is feasible to state that Melissa, for instance, reported no indications of being a maniac before; hence, the case cannot be qualified as bipolar disorder. She had a low mood, but the condition was limited to specific boundaries, which depicted Melissa as a normal and positive person while working. Sadness was not permanent and Melissa had no serious mental symptoms. The fact that her weight was constant, her appetite was good, and she had no suicidal ideations or death wishes resulted in the impossibility of applying the description of major depressive disorder. Therefore, Melissa lacked the characteristics that are common for other mental issues and this aspect differentiates adjustment disorder from other diseases. Most mental issues and any physiological condition might be accompanied by adjustment disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Consequently, considering comorbidity, it is essential to examine the whole case since Melissa can possess additional psychological problems.
In terms of the assessment summary, it is obligatory to identify why Melissa meets the criteria for adjustment disorder. Firstly, a criterion for adjustment disorder suggests that within three months of the initiation of a stressor, the formation of emotional or behavioral manifestations in reaction to that stressor occurs (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Melissa suffered from the condition for two months since her partner followed the new schedule for this period.
Furthermore, the previous time Melissa had sought help, she had remained depressed and upset until a few weeks after her relationship ended. In adjustment disorder, the indications do not last longer than six months after the stressor or its repercussions have ended (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Even though there is no evidence of how long the episode could last, according to previous Melissas difficulty, it is feasible to assume the consequences would not last for a longer period.
Moreover, Melissa was not in a depressed condition since he reported having normal life while being in a community or socializing. Concerning adjustment disorder, the stress-related impairment does not fulfill the criteria for another mental illness and is not a worsening of another psychological illness (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In the case of Melissa, no additional symptoms or manifestations of other complications and mental issues were noticed.
To summarize, based on the case description, it is reasonable to assume Melissa suffers from adjustment disorder, which is a form of mental illness. Criterion B1 might be underlined in terms of the diagnostic criteria that the client matches. Concerning the overall pattern, Melissas mood disorder signs were the most obvious. Since the situation does not depict the signs and indications that allude to other mental diseases, adjustment disorder is prevalent in this case.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition. APA.
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