The Scenario
Jeff had been working in a local cereal store as the lead procurement officer for the last fourteen years before April 2013. Jeff has been the breadwinner of his two brothers and sister, who all depended on his salary for their upkeep and education. He recently lost both parents to a road accident, and unsuccessfully sought for insurance compensation, as the conditions surrounding the accident did not merit compensation. He has faced several life challenges in his family that greatly affected his performance at the office that led to his eventual dismissal in April 2013. After conducting several assessments on Jeff and his family members, I realized that he had twice unsuccessfully attempted suicide. He has also been drinking for the past seven years and smoked marijuana for an undisclosed period. His younger brother had thrice identified a gun in his bedroom cabinet, which he once used to threaten his neighbor after falling out in an argument. The assessment revealed that despite the poor financial family background, his family has been socially supportive. However, his habit has led to rejection and isolation by his peers who have failed to understand his behavior in the past few years.
Jeff has been several hospitalized and diagnosed with depression, drunkenness, trauma, and hallucinations among several other psychological related disorders. The doctors have proposed that he should reduce his drinking and stress in order to cope with the demeaning life situations. His family has also been advised to remain supportive in order to ensure that he reduces his devastating reactions to situations. After losing his job in April, Jeff’s misfortunes intensified. Having been the sole provider for the family, he lost hope in life and most of the benefits he had been receiving from his job have been spent in drinking. He has reported further depression, hallucinations, scaring more people with his gun, and even become more paranoid. He has also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which has been revealed to produce devastating effects on patients as it is difficult to manage (Greenberger, 2013).
Questions asked and Protocol Used
The protocol used in this assessment is interviewing the family members, Jeff, and his former employer as well as the hospitals and the psychologists as well as Jeff’s neighbors. The questions would be aimed at determining Jeff’s medical, social, and economic histories (Centre for Reviews and, D., 2004). The questions asked in this assessment included asking about Jeff’s exposure to weapons, drugs and alcohol, and suicidal ideation, intent, and gestures as well as attempt. The assessment also included analyzing the hospitalization history, personal disorders, psychotic surgery, recent loss or trauma, and suicidal history in his family. The assessment finally intended to inquire on Jeff’s violence history in his neighborhood (Centre for Reviews and, D., 2011).
Indicators Ack Denied Explanation
Suicidal ideation: Yes
Suicidal intent: Yes
Suicidal gestures: Little
Plan: Counseling
Means to implement plan: patient-therapist relation
Previous attempt: Once
Hospitalization Hx: Several
Alcohol/drugs: Alcohol and Marijuana
Available guns or weapons: Guns
Social isolation/ support: Family support and peer isolation
Depression/panic disorders: Depressed
Personality disorder: Low self-esteem
Psychotic Sx: None
Recent loss or trauma: Loss of job
Family Hx of suicide: None
Poor physical health: Yes
Risk Assessment (circle one): Moderate
Danger to Others: Moderate
Indicators Ack Denied Explanation
Intent to harm other(s): Little
Ideation of act: Yes
Plan: Refer to a psycho professional
Means to implement plan: refer to a psychological counselor
Anger issues: Yes
Hx of violence: Few
Alcohol/drugs: Alcohol and Marijuana
Paranoia: Yes
Psychosis: Hallucinations
Fascination with weapons: Yes
Available weapons: Guns
Risk Assessment (circle one): Moderate
Management plan for any risk above minimal:
Refer the patient for further counseling and management in a health facility under the supervision of a psychology expert to help manage trauma and suicidal ideation as well as intent
References:
Centre for Reviews and, D. (2004). General practitioners' role in preventive medicine: scenario analysis using alcohol as a case study (Structured abstract). Drug And Alcohol Review, 23(4), 399-404.
Centre for Reviews and, D. (2011). Psychosocial preventive interventions to reduce depressive symptoms in low‐SES women at risk: a meta‐analysis (Structured abstract). Journal of Affective Disorders, 128(1‐2), 10-23.
Greenberger, L. S. (2013). What to Say When Things Get Tough. What To Say When Things Get Tough, 1-7.
