Alexandra Franklin Case Study

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In brief psychotic disorder, an individual will have psychotic episodes that would be considered brief. According to Hoodley et al. (2017), “It involves the sudden onset of psychotic or disorganized speech or catatonic behavior. Even though there is great emotional turmoil, the episode usually lasts only a matter of days (too short to warrant a diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder).” The individual who suffers from brief psychotic disorder usually returns back to their normal level of functioning and might not even have another episode again. In the DSM-5, the presence of one or more symptoms that include (1) delusions, (2) hallucinations, (3) disorganized speech, and/or (4) catatonic behavior. One must at least have (1), (2), or (3). Franklin experiences delusions with slight catatonic behavior, when she is unable to move. When Franklin has an episode, she cries hysterically and screams. These behaviors are congruent with having emotional turmoil. Also, the duration of her episodes are usually a day.

The possible treatment options I would recommend would be medication and psychotherapy. The medication that I would prescribe would be antipsychotic medications due to the fact that anti-psychotics block dopamine, which is believed to be involved in the development of delusions. If prescribing 1st generation anti-psychotics, it would be Haldol or Prolixin. If prescribing 2nd generation anti-psychotics, it would be Risperdal, Zyprexa, or Seroquel. Franklin does sometimes experience feelings of anxiety, so antidepressants might also be considered.

The psychotherapy approaches I would recommend would be cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), individual therapy, and family therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help Franklin recognize and change thought behaviors and patterns that lead to her troublesome feelings. Individual therapy can help Franklin recognize and correct her underlying thinking that has been distorted. Family therapy can be beneficial to Franklin’s family when dealing with her episodes and to enable Franklin’s family members to contribute to a better outcome for Alexandra. There are a few outside organizations and interventions that might be helpful for support with Franklin’s disorders, such as NAMI Family Support Groups or Sensory Tool Awareness Routines (STAR), which empowers patients to exert greater control over their lives.

In conclusion, there are many alternatives that can help individuals and families with mental illnesses and disorders. It is crucial to find professional help to help guide families and individuals on the possible solutions and resources in treating and support. Having a disorder has not stopped Alexandra Franklin from pursuing her best life. She enjoys working, hanging out with family and friends, and doing outdoor activities. Franklin does not complain and keeps an optimistic view about her illness.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Hooley, J. M., Butcher, J. N., Nock, M. K., & Mineka, S. (2017). Abnormal psychology (17th ed.). Boston: Pearson.