Personality Disorder: Case Study
The following is a fictional case study about a client who is arrested and has been diagnosed with a personality disorder. As you read the case, think about what the diagnosis might be and the…
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Clusters of Personality Disorders
The American Psychiatric Association organizes personality disorders by clusters. Cluster A is a category that describes individuals who are withdrawn and may engage in odd or eccentric behavior. The diagnoses include: Paranoid Personality Disorder An…
What is a personality disorder?
The American Psychiatric Association (2013) defines a personality disorder as an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of an individual’s culture. The personality traits are pervasive and inflexible.…
Mitigation: Psychiatric Symptoms
Mental health problems manifest in many ways. Depression, mania, addiction and psychosis have profound effects on behavior. Sometimes substance use and psychiatric disorders interact and amplify symptoms. Some psychiatric disorders are marked by poor insight.…
Chemical Restraints Nursing Homes
The following example is a true case scenario where administrators and staff in a Nursing Home inappropriately used chemical restraints, resulting in harm. In California, The Kern Valley Nursing Home used chemical restraint to control…
Mitigation: Substance Use
Early or heavy substance use can have a profound impact on an individual’s brain, with resulting changes in judgment and behavior. Substances can lead to acute impairment during periods of intoxication and withdrawal. Some substances…
Bipolar Patient Chemical Restraint
The following case scenario is an example of the use of chemical restraint for bipolar disorder: The staff of the mental health unit chose to medicate a patient, Mr. Big with Risperdal which was ordered…
Mitigation: Immaturity
Some defendants are legally adults but are less-than-mature neurologically. Neurodevelopmental research tells us that brain maturation is not complete until mid-twenties. What are the implications of an immature brain? Impulsivity, poor judgment, decreased impulse control…
Verbal Abuse in Chemical Restraint
The following case scenario is an examples of the use of chemical restraint: Mr. Jones is a 65 year old man who is being evaluated in the emergency room after a fall with a possible…
Mitigation: Life Experiences
Among the life experiences that are linked to adult problems, childhood adversity is the best studied and has the most compelling data. In study after study, early life adversity is linked to medical, mental health…
Chemical Restraint Documentation/Medications
Documentation by caregivers is extremely important to avoid litigation when chemical restraint is used. The person’s competency to refuse care including medication should be evaluated and documented. The medications most commonly used for chemical restraint…
How long do Psilocybin/Mushrooms stay in the system?
How long does Psilocybin effect the user? How long can it be detected in urine? Does it come up in standard toxicology tests? Find the answers here.
