For this assignment, students will investigate and propose a psychiatric diagnosis based on the case study from the Gorenstein and Comer (2015) textbook Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology , chosen in the Week One “Initial Call” discussion or the Week Two “Initial Assessment” discussion. This paper will include an in-depth overview of the disorder(s) within the diagnosis, treatment options for the diagnosis, and a sound rationale that explains why this diagnosis was made. Note that the diagnosis may include more than one psychiatric disorder. The paper must present a thorough overview of each disorder within the diagnosis. Assume the audience has no prior knowledge of the disorder(s) within the diagnosis, and provide relevant and easy to understand explanations of each for the readers. When writing the paper, it is critical to convey all the necessary information in a straightforward manner using non-technical language. (Reference the Professional Voice and Writing Links to an external site. resource provided by the Writing Center for assistance.) Support the analysis with at least five peer-reviewed sources published within the last ten years in addition to the course text. The Psychiatric Diagnosis topical paper must include the following: Explain psychological concepts in the patient’s presentation using professional terminology. Identify symptoms and behaviors exhibited by the patient in the chosen case study. Match the identified symptoms to potential disorders in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual. Propose a diagnosis based on the patient’s symptoms and the criteria listed for the disorder(s) in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual. Analyze and explain how the patient meets criteria for the disorder(s) according to the patient’s symptoms and the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual. Justify the use of the chosen DSM-5 diagnostic manual (i.e., What evidence supports the validity of this manual? What are limitations of this manual?). Summarize general views of the diagnosis from at least three theoretical orientations (g., cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, biological, sociocultural, evolutionary, psychoanalytic, integrative, etc.). NOTE: Be clear that you are writing about theoretical orientations and using the theoretical orientations to explain the diagnosis. Do not use the theoretical orientations to discuss any therapy or treatment approaches. Your application of the theoretical orientations should answer the question: What causes this diagnosis? For example, “Based on the cognitive perspective, what causes this diagnosis?” “Based on the humanisitic perspective, what causes this diagnosis?” Etc. In addition, you may include a historical perspective on the diagnosis, but this is not required. Also note that here you are summarizing views of the overall diagnosis, not specific individual symptoms. Include a discussion on comorbidity if the diagnosis includes more than one disorder. .

1. For this assignment, students will investigate and propose a psychiatric diagnosis based on the
case study from the Gorenstein and Comer (2015) textbook
Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology
, chosen in the Week One “Initial Call― discussion or the Week Two “Initial
Assessment― discussion. This paper will include an in-depth overview of the disorder(s)
within the diagnosis, treatment options for the diagnosis, and a sound rationale that explains why
this diagnosis was made. Note that the diagnosis may include more than one psychiatric disorder.
The paper must present a thorough overview of each disorder within the diagnosis. Assume the
audience has no prior knowledge of the disorder(s) within the diagnosis, and provide relevant
and easy to understand explanations of each for the readers. When writing the paper, it is
critical to convey all the necessary information in a straightforward manner using non-technical
language. (Reference the
Professional Voice and Writing
Links to an external site.
resource provided by the Writing Center for assistance.) Support the analysis with at least five
peer-reviewed sources published within the last ten years in addition to the course text.
The Psychiatric Diagnosis topical paper must include the following:
Explain psychological concepts in the patient’s presentation using professional terminology.
Identify symptoms and behaviors exhibited by the patient in the chosen case study.
Match the identified symptoms to potential disorders in the
DSM-5
diagnostic manual.
Propose a diagnosis based on the patient’s symptoms and the criteria listed for the disorder(s)
in the
DSM-5
diagnostic manual.
Analyze and explain how the patient meets criteria for the disorder(s) according to the
patient’s symptoms and the criteria outlined in the
DSM-5
diagnostic manual.
Justify the use of the chosen
DSM-5
diagnostic manual (i.e., What evidence supports the validity of this manual? What are limitations
of this manual?).

2. Summarize general views of the diagnosis from at least three theoretical orientations (g.,
cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, biological, sociocultural, evolutionary, psychoanalytic,
integrative, etc.). NOTE: Be clear that you are writing about theoretical orientations and using
the theoretical orientations to explain the diagnosis. Do not use the theoretical orientations to
discuss any therapy or treatment approaches. Your application of the theoretical orientations
should answer the question: What causes this diagnosis? For example, “Based on the
cognitive perspective, what causes this diagnosis?” “Based on the humanisitic perspective,
what causes this diagnosis?― Etc. In addition, you may include a historical perspective on the
diagnosis, but this is not required. Also note that here you are summarizing views of the overall
diagnosis, not specific individual symptoms.
Include a discussion on comorbidity if the diagnosis includes more than one disorder.
Evaluate symptoms within the context of an appropriate theoretical orientation for this diagnosis
(e.g., cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, biological, sociocultural, evolutionary, psychoanalytic,
integrative, etc.). NOTE: Here you are evaluating specific symptoms, not the overall
diagnosis.
Use at least two peer-reviewed articles to assess the validity of this diagnosis, and describe which
demographics are at a higher risk of developing the disorder or receiving the diagnosis based on
age, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Provide a brief evaluation of
the scientific merit of these peer-reviewed sources in the validity assessment.
Summarize the risk factors (i.e., biological, psychological, environmental, and/or social) for the
diagnosi If one of the categories is not relevant, address this within the summary.
Compare evidence-based and non-evidence-based treatment options for the diagnosi
Evaluate well-established treatments for the diagnosis, and describe the likelihood of success or
possible outcomes for each treatment.
Create an annotated bibliography of five peer-reviewed references published within the last ten
years to inform the diagnosis and treatment recommendati In the annotated bibliography, write a
two- to three- sentence evaluation of the scientific merit of each of these references. For
additional assistance with this portion of the assignment, access the Writing Center’s
Sample Annotated Bibliography.Links to an external site.
Attention Students:
The Masters of Arts in Psychology program is utilizing the Folio portfolio tool as a repository for
student scholarly work in the form of signature assignments completed within the program. After
receiving feedback for this Psychiatric Diagnosis topical paper, please implement any changes
recommended by the instructor, go to your Folio account and upload the revised Psychiatric
Diagnosis topical paper to the portfolio. (Use the
Setting Up and Using Folio

3. Links to an external site.
to create an account if you do not already have one.) The upload of signature assignments will
take place after completing each course. Be certain to upload revised signature assignments
throughout the program as the portfolio and its contents will be used in other courses and may be
used by individual students as a professional resource tool.
The Psychiatric Diagnosis
Must be 8 to 15 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and
formatted according to APA style
Must use at least five peer-reviewed sources published within the last 10 years in addition to the
course text.
Must include a separate annotated bibliography page.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Writing Center.