Treatment Plan for Adam: A Psychology Case Study Analysis

This case study presents a detailed analysis of Adam, a 20-year-old college student referred for counseling due to difficulties with his peers and potential substance abuse. The assignment outlines Adam's presenting problems, which include a short temper, rudeness, marijuana use, and a distorted ...Read More

ASSIGNMENT
Key issues
1. He does not get along with the other students, especially in the dorm.
2. He is using marijuana once or twice a month
3. He has short temper which makes him get into trouble
4. He is rude and does want to make the relationship with his colleagues
5. He has disturbed thought of his ability and looks
6. He feels other students are inferior and are jealous of him
The rationale for the order of priority of the issues
The rationale of prioritizing these key issues is due to the social problems which are affecting his stay in
school and he can't have a good relationship with his colleagues and also not desiring to have a lot of
friends. His short temper is getting him into trouble due to complaints of other residents and also use of
marijuana which is leading to addiction if not intervened sooner.
Most important features and why?
The first three key issues are core ones because it’s affecting his relationship with colleagues and family
members. It’s also affecting his performance in school.
Outcome of treatment
The counselor will assist Adam to have appropriate skills to handle his short-tempered behavior so that
he cannot get into trouble and also help him to cease using marijuana which he has struggled to stop it
but it’s all in vain. The counselor also will help him have a healthy relationship with his colleagues.
Clients’ key issues list
It might differ with that of counselor due to the condition of Adam but the counselor will work hand in
hand with the client to improve his social and mental health.
Additional information
The counselor would have investigated the lifestyle of Adam's childhood from the family members and
also take more history from them. The counselor also would have asked more about the reason why he
ended up using marijuana and who made him use it.
Diagnostic impression
According to my clinical diagnosis Adam has cannabis use disorder with narcissistic personality disorder
due to clinical symptoms Adam has the moment

Diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder
According to American Psychiatric Association (2013), problematic pattern of cannabis use
leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifest by at least two of the
following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1. Cannabis is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended (Meule, &
Gearhardt, 2014). Adam has been abusing marijuana since he started college when he was 18
years of age
2.There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control cannabis use. Adam
told the counselor that he has been trying to stop using marijuana but he can't cease,no success at
all.
3. Tolerance, as defined by a need for markedly increased amounts of cannabis, to achieve
intoxication or desired effects. Adam's told the counselor that he wants to use to more amount of
marijuana so that he can feel high the way he was when he used first in high school
Diagnostic criteria of Narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life including relationship
school and work. People with this disorder may be generally unhappy and disappointed when
they are not given what they need, they don't find the relationship enjoyable.
A problematic pattern of the following symptoms leading to clinically significant impairment
or distress, as manifest by at least two of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1. They have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Adam believes he is important and has
an amazing acting ability

2. He has a sense of entitlement and excessive admiration because of his rugged good looks
and his ability in soccer and other activities he believes he is capable of.
3. He exaggerates achievements and talents
4. He believes he is superior and can only associate with equally special people
5. He is envious of others and believes others are envious of him
6. He is impatient and short-tempered and this makes him get into troubles
7. He has difficulty in regulating his behavior and emotions
Other co_occuring disorders
The counselor took medical and family history and did mental status examination but there
was no other disorder apart from the listed above
Rationale for diagnostic impressions
The rationale of concluding Adam's diagnosis is due to the diagnostic criteria listed above for
each disorder and the symptoms he has at the moment which is disturbing her daily living and
social relationship with others. Cannabis Use Disorder is among due to the substance abuse and
inability to cease using it.
Treatment recommendations
1.Adam should be carefully monitored and counseled to learn how to have a good
relationship with his colleagues, parents, and authorities
2. Adam should be counseled and given appropriate skills and techniques to handle his short-
tempered behavior and rudeness

3. Adam should participate in group and occupation therapy session especially twice a week
(Jongsma, Peterson, & Bruce, 2014).
4. Adam should be able to respect others and have self-esteem.
5. Adam should participate in family therapy in order to have a good relationship with them.
6. He should be taught how to tackle the issue of reducing the use of marijuana and stopping
it.
Treatment plan
Client name: Adam Smith
Problem 1: He does not get along with his colleagues due to his rudeness and short tempered
behavior
Goal 1: Adam will be able to have a healthy relationship with his colleagues and family and
also be able to stay with them in peace and unity
Objectives 1: Adam will know the importance of living with people and having good
relations with them. This includes making him socially health and friends or those people near
you are of good help in times of hardships.
Intervention1: Adam to participate in group therapy and monitor how he behaves with his
colleagues and make him participate in events that needs unity like group discussion .football
playing and check his behavior. He should also be in family therapy and check his behavior with
other family members.
Objectives 2: Adam will be able to desire to have friends and company and can retain the
relationship for a longer period of time

Intervention 2: Talk to the classmates and pick a friend who is good for Adam and try to
make them associate and also encourage his friends or residents to understand him and talk to
him in a friendly way. Adam can choose also friends he wants to try to relate with
Goal 2: Adam will be able to reduce anger and become happy in order to get along with his
colleagues
Objective 1: Adam will be able to know what makes him angry and events that turns him to
be rude in order to escape this situation.
Intervention 2: Teach Adam techniques like breathing exercises and keeping quiet that will
help him avoid being angry and also to avoid events and situations that makes him be in that
state
Objective 2: Adam will be able to respect others and communicate with them with etiquette
Intervention 2: Keep close monitoring to Adam especially when talking to his colleagues and
family members during the therapy session in case of any rudeness correct him immediately.
Problem 2 He has been using marijuana since he started college
Goal 1 Adam will understand that marijuana is harmful to health and has tolerance and
withdrawal
Objective 1: Adam will have reduced amount of marijuana he is using to none
Intervention 1: Adam to be writing the amount he is abusing and give him a more clear
explanation on how marijuana affects him in terms of tolerance and withdrawal
Objective 2 Adam will have a written plan on how to terminate use of marijuana in a shorter
period of time

Intervention 2 Review with him his action plan daily or weekly and tell him the importance
of terminating it so that he can affect the plan.
Goal 2 Adam will have the knowledge on the effects of marijuana abuse and can survive
without using it
Objective 1: Adam will be able to teach others about effects of marijuana and he has stopped
using it
Intervention 1: Encourage him to talk about it before the group he is in or in school and how
marijuana affected his life
Objective 2: Adam is able to manage or knows preventive techniques of relapse
Intervention 2: Encourage him to avoid situations that trigger relapses like failure and hunger

References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
Meule, A., & Gearhardt, A. (2014). Food addiction in the light of DSM-5. Nutrients, 6(9), 3653-3671.
Jongsma, A. E., Peterson, L. M., & Bruce, T. J. (2014). The complete adult psychotherapy
treatment planner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley& Sons