Identification of Irritability due to low mood as problematic behavior of Lauren and its relation with alcohol consumption

Lauren's problematic behavior is irritability due to low mood, which can lead to depression and negatively impact her social, educational, and professional life. Alcohol consumption can worsen her irritability and lead to serious behavioral issues. Rob's suggestion of physical activity was helpful, but his disclosure of Lauren's alcohol consumption to her parents was unhelpful. Rob should employ cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy to assist Lauren in addressing her alcohol consumption.

Question 1: Identification of one of Lauren’s problematic behaviour. Explanation of how the behaviour is
problematic and may be influenced by alcohol consumption.
One of the mention-worthy problematic behaviour that has been found to impose highly negative
impact on Luren’s behaviour is irritability due to low mood.
Why Irritability is problematic
Irritability can be defined as the feeling of agitation. When an individual is irritable, he or she
becomes upset and frustrated easily. Generally, stressful situation gives rise to irritability. Other causes
of irritability include tiredness and sickness. Generally, temporary irritability may cause from any
physical or mental stress and goes away when the specific issue gets solved. However, irritability if
experienced by an individual for a prolonged period of time as in the case of Lauren, may considered to
be a major symptom of depression. The mentioned behaviour has the potential to impose negative
impact on Lauren’s social, educational as well as professional life. Due to excessive irritability, there
prevails a risk of loneliness due to rude conversation with friends, family and relatives. This in turn can
result in social isolation (Ehde, Dillworth and Turner 2014). Moreover, Lauren is already suffering from
obesity and asthma. In such case, enhanced irritability can worsen those conditions. Depression
resulting from irritable condition of Lauren may also impose impact on her educational life. High irritable
adversely affect the ability to concentrate. Being a student, lack of concentration will adversely affect
Laurens results.
How Alcohol influences irritability
High anxiety and irritability can be considered as two of the major symptoms of Alcoholism.
Irritability due to alcoholism gets rapidly transferred into depression. According to researcher,
adolescents who drinks heavily, are more likely to attempt for suicide in a stressful situation compared
to adolescents who don’t drink. Moreover, teen drinkers also suffer from enhanced number of social
problems, suicidal thoughts and violence. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration stated that 39 percent of the teenage drinkers exhibit serious behavioral issues while 1
percent of the same suffers from extreme level of psychological distress (Moffitt, 2017) Apart from that,
in case of regular alcohol consumption, adolescents are found to suffer from higher level of attention-
deficit disorder, aggressiveness and hyperactivity. Dependence on alcohol is another major risk
associated with alcoholism in adolescence. Research suggests that teenagers below 17 are more likely to
get addicted to alcohol compared to adults (Vargas et al., 2014). Thus it can be clearly understood that
irritability due to low mood nd alcoholism are highly related. In order to eradicate the psychological
issues Lauren suffering from, it is highly crucial to prevent her alcohol consumption.
Question 2: a) Assessment of helpful behavior of Rob
Action taken by Rob Comments Explanation
1. Rob has suggested physical
exercise as a part of his daily
routine
“physical activity for
someone your age is critical
Lauren”
Considering the fact that Lauren is
suffering from obesity which in is
affecting her psychological as well

as physical health, physical activity
will be highly beneficial for Lauren.
Moreover, Physical activity will
help her to increase her attention
and make her feel energized.
Regular physical activity has the
potential to reduce her tendency
to consume alcohol. Considering
the fact that the chief aim of Rob
was to enhance the energy of
Lauren and prevent depression,
the action taken by rob by
prescribing regular physical
activity was highly helpful
(Roberson-Nay et al. 2015).
2. The approach taken by Rob
while communicating with
Lauren was helpful
“sorry Lauren but we really
need to address your
drinking and lack of
activity”
Being a psycratist, Rob was
demonstrating gentle and
understanding approach while
communicating with Lauren.
However, the approach shown by
Lauren was rude and offending.
This demonstration of patience
while listing to the issues of
healthcare user is highly
appreciable. For instance when
Rob had asked her what’s a typical
weaken means to her, Lauren had
demonstrated rudeness while
answering the questions. In the
above scenario when Lauren was
exhibiting rude attitude,
demonstration of anger would
have make it difficult for him to
access her issues an understand
the specific issues behind her
anxiety and irritable behavior.
b) Assessment of unhelpful behavior of Rob
Action taken by Rob Comments Explanation
1. Considering the fact that
Lauren was demonstrating
reluctance to her asthma
medications, take part in
physical activity and lessen
her alcohol consumption, Rob
had organized a meeting
“I don’t want to go into
details but I think Lauren
would be well served to
make some other friends,
and avoid seeing those
friends for a while. I’d also
like to suggest that she
The major reason behind the
psychological issues suffered by
Lauren includes lack of mental
security. In such cases, the chief
role of a mental healthcare
professional is to make her feel
secure and relaxed. Being a

session with Lauren and her
parents. in this meeting
session, he disclosed that
Lauren needs the help of a
support group in order to get
rid of alcoholism.
contact a support group… “ adolescent, Lauren lacks the
maturity needed by her to
understand the changes in her
characteristics and how it can
affect her in future. In such
situation, healthcare service users
often become highly vulnerable
and resistant to any kind of
criticism. Criticism, instead of
acting like constructive
motivation, enhances their desire
to not follow the path shown to
them. This in turn hinders their
way to get recovered. The
discussion of her parents with
Rob has made her more
vulnerable which in turn has the
potential to her way towards
recovery.
2. Since Lauren is suffering from
severe psychological anxiety,
Rob should have
implemented therapeutic
treatment for treating Laurel.
Since it can be clearly,
understood that Lauren is unable
to understand her present
condition and how it is gradually
degrading both her psychological
as well as physical health, lack of
therapeutic treatment and
medication is hindering her way
towards recovery from alcohol
consumptions and behavioral
issues.
Question 3: Suggested modification of rob’s action during the consultation in order to enhance her
health outcomes
Actions Modifications
1. Rob during his consultation with Lauren’s
family had disclosed that Lauren needs the
help of a support group in order to get rid
of alcoholism. Considering the fact that
Lauren had informed the doctor about the
exact amount of alcohol consumption
done by her and asked Rob not to disclose
the amount in front of her parents, this
action of Rob had made her feel betrayed.
Considering the fact that the chief goal of Rob is to
eradicate the psychological issues suffered by
Lauren long with reduce her alcohol consumption,
as a psychologist it is highly crucial for him to
maintain the confidentiality of the patient.
Maintenance of confidentiality would have
enhanced the relationship between the pateient
and the doctor. Lauren, as an individual may felt
being respected. This in turn had the potential to
enhance the trust of Lauren on Rob and she may
reach out to him for timely support in regards to
the ongoing health concerns. Once the trust of the

health care user it gained, it becomes easier for
the healthcare service user to treat the patient and
enhance his physical or mental condition
(Copeland, Brotman & Costello, E2015).
Since Lauren is suffering from severe psychological
anxiety, Rob should have implemented therapeutic
treatment for treating Laurel.
It can be understood that Rob was trying to
eradicate the issue of excessive alcohol
consumption of Laurel though oral sessions (.
However, since Laurel is a adolescent, mere oral
therapy seems to be not working for her.
Considering the fact that the condition of Lauren
was deteriorating rapidly, Rob could have
introduced therapeutic treatment and medication
instead of a prolonged oral consultation.
Question 4: Theoretical techniques Rob should employ to assist Lauren in addressing alcohol
consumption as recommended.
Considering the fact that Lauren is majorly suffering from irritability due to low mood, therapeutic
treatment focusing on discovery of the underlying cause that may be a mental health condition or
outside factor is highly crucial. For instance, Rob can employ the Cognitive behavioral therapy. With the
help of this therapy, Rob will be able to reframe thoughts of Laurel that in turn will enhance her
behavior. The cognitive behavioral therapy is highly popular among patients with irritability issues
(Mulraney, Melvin & Tonge, 2014). Additionally, Rob should also employee effective tress management
skills and techniques like meditations and mindfulness in order to further reduced the impact of
irritability in Lauren.
When it comes to alcoholism off Lauren, Psychotherapy can be effective technique to get rid of the
phenomenon. Psychotherapy involves personal counseling with a therapist. The aim of the treatment is
to help an alcoholic individual understand themselves, their issues and motivations better (Jacobus &
Tapert, 2013). Physiotherapist uses the techniques to enhance self-observation and awareness amongst
the patient.

Reference list
Copeland, W. E., Brotman, M. A., & Costello, E. J. (2015). Normative irritability in youth: developmental
findings from the Great Smoky Mountains Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child &
Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(8), 635-642.
Ehde, D.M., Dillworth, T.M. and Turner, J.A., 2014. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with
chronic pain: efficacy, innovations, and directions for research. American Psychologist, 69(2),
p.153.
Jacobus, J., & Tapert, S. F. (2013). Neurotoxic effects of alcohol in adolescence. Annual review of clinical
psychology, 9, 703-721.
Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A
developmental taxonomy. In Biosocial Theories of Crime (pp. 69-96). Routledge.
Mulraney, M., Melvin, G., & Tonge, B. (2014). Brief report: Can irritability act as a marker of
psychopathology?. Journal of adolescence, 37(4), 419-423.
Roberson-Nay, R., Leibenluft, E., Brotman, M. A., Myers, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., & Kendler, K. S.
(2015). Longitudinal stability of genetic and environmental influences on irritability: from
childhood to young adulthood. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(7), 657-664.
Vargas, W. M., Bengston, L., Gilpin, N. W., Whitcomb, B. W., & Richardson, H. N. (2014). Alcohol binge
drinking during adolescence or dependence during adulthood reduces prefrontal myelin in male
rats. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(44), 14777-14782.