Reference no: EM133520405

Case: Read the following case study and respond to the questions below.

Elena is a 28-year-old Hispanic female. She presented at a local mental health clinic after being referred by her obstetrician and a local inpatient psychiatric facility. Elena gave birth to twins 5 weeks ago after a difficult pregnancy. She and her husband Jayson are first-time parents.

Elena began to engage in strange behaviors approximately 4 weeks after giving birth, such as checking the locks on the doors multiple times per day and keeping the blinds closed at all times. She reported that she does this because people are conspiring to kidnap her children. She has been refusing to leave her children unattended for any reason, even going an entire night without sleeping so that she could watch them. Elena's delusions have kept her from allowing friends and some family members from visiting with the babies, as she fears that they "are in on the plan to take them away from me." A neighbor came over to congratulate the new parents with cupcakes, and was met with Elena's suspicions that the neighbor was "poisoning the cupcakes to make me fall asleep so that they can take my babies."

Elena's husband and mother believed that the symptoms were possibly just an exaggerated response to new parenthood, but decided to inform the doctor after Elena refused to attend a doctor's appointment or leave the house for any reason. Elena also attacked Jayson after he left the room when it was his turn to watch the babies, and she accused him of wanting the children to be abducted. Elena was admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility for 3 days to stabilize her condition with medication, and was referred for follow-up care.

Elena has been working in insurance sales for the past 6 years, and is regarded highly within her company as a top salesperson. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration, making her the first person in her family to go to college. She is very creative and enjoys writing in her spare time. Elena also has close relationships with her family members, and is proud of her Hispanic heritage. She also regularly attends church, and is a practicing Catholic.

Question 1: Which of the psychotic disorders reviewed this week does Elena show the most of evidence of and why?

Question 2: Identify any biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that may have contributed to the development or her disorder.

Question 3: What might be the most effective treatment(s) for Elena?