"Jennie is a 21-year-old single college student with no prior psychiatric history.  She was admitted to a short-term psychiatric ward from a hospital emergency room with a chief complaint of "I think I was psychotic."  For several months prior to her admission she reported a series of "strange experiences."  These included religious experiences, increased anxiety, a conviction that other students were conspiring against her, visual distortions, auditory hallucinations, and grandiose delusions.  During the week prior to admission, the symptoms gradually worsened, and eventually she became agitated and disorganized.
    A number of stressful events preceded this decompensation.  A maternal aunt, a strong and central figure in her family, had died four months previously.  As a college senior, Jennie was struggling with decisions about her career choices following graduation. She was considering applying to graduate programs but was unable to decide which course of study she preferred.  She was very much involved with her boyfriend, also a college senior.  He, too, was struggling with anxiety about graduation, and it was not clear that their relationship would continue.  The patient also reported feeling pressured and overextended.

    Assume you are Jennie's therapist:

1.  What factors do you think contributed to Jennie's problems?
2.  What type of therapy would you use with Jennie (be specific)?  Why?"
 
 
 

Smith, R. A. (1998).  Instructor's resource package for Weiten's themes & variations. (4th ed.). Pacific Cove, CA: Brooks/Cole. 429.

Back to PSY Projects page
Back to PSY 110 Home Page
Page maintained by Roberta Hartmann, M.S.Ed.
Last updated 9/6/00