Reference no: EM133452730

Case Study: Family and Psychopathology

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Taking the role of a practitioner, you are given the case below. You are analyzing the family structure and then seeking ways to help the family.

Randy was the middle of three children. His father was an electrician and his mother taught elementary school. His older brother committed suicide at the age of 30-having struggled with depression most of his adult life. His father was never diagnosed with a mental disorder, but he was known for his paranoia and his eccentric behaviors. Randy's mother had learned to be quiet and passive in order to appease her volatile husband. They rarely communicated with one another, and when they did it usually ended up in an argument. Considering parenting styles, she was permissive and the father authoritarian.

Randy was a star high-school student and had a 3.8 GPA his first year in college. He was majoring in history. When a girlfriend broke up with him, his grades started to slip and everything about him seemed to change. He slept a lot, ate mostly junk food, and stopped going to class. He was placed on academic probation. He accused the Dean of being out to "get" him. He even suggested that the Dean took his girlfriend. Eventually Randy was expelled from the college.

He went home to his parents, where he became withdrawn and paranoid. Randy was angry with his father, who mostly ignored him. His mother was afraid of him, especially when he talked to himself and yelled at the television. Once when they were gone for the weekend, Randy pulled the cable box out of the wall and took a hammer to the television set, smashing in the sides. He told his parents that the cable box was taking thoughts from his brain and sending them to the television for all to hear. "My thoughts belong to me, and to no one else. Whoever tries to take them is going to have to pay." A neighbor of his parents suggested that Randy ought to go to the community mental health clinic. Randy's father forbid it, saying "No son of mine is going to a shrink. Shrinks are for "sissies." When the neighbor asked Randy if he wanted to get some help, Randy's response was, "I don't need help. Just turn off the TV."

Shortly after this incident, Randy's aunt died and left him $50,000. Randy bought an old truck, the same one he has now, packed up his clothes and books and took off to live alone in the mountains.  He left his parents a note reading, "Thanks for nothing." That was the last they heard from Randy.

Consider and incorporate the following in your answer:

1. What factors influence the family's psychological health? Consider both nature and nurture. 

2. Consider the 4 D's of psychopathology; danger, distress, deviance, and disfunction. Define the 4 D's and apply the ones that fit the scenario.

3. Concerning the family, how might parenting styles (mother and father) influence Randy from childhood until now?

4. Define at least 5 terms needed to discuss Randy's case (include hallucinations, psychosis, and schizophrenia.)

5. What could help the family? Be specific and use a variety of resources (include VA. Laws and National laws). please references