Psychology Discussion Assignment: Analyzing Maria's Case Study

This discussion post presents a case analysis of Maria, a 30-year-old Hispanic woman who attempted suicide. The analysis includes an assessment of her mental state, diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, and the identification of contributing factors such as relationship distress, partner abuse, and cultural influences. The assignment details the use of the PHQ-9 assessment tool, immediate, short-term, and long-term goals, and proposed strategies, including individual and relationship therapy, alongside medical and complementary treatments like meditation. It also explores Maria's strengths, such as her love for learning and curiosity, and weaknesses, like humility, and how these impact her treatment. The post discusses the stigma associated with mental health within her cultural context, and concludes by highlighting the significance of incorporating patient strengths in the treatment approach. References to relevant psychology texts are provided, supporting the analysis and recommendations for Maria's care.

1. Maria has attempted suicide once after an altercation with her husband. Her psychiatrist
diagnosed her with hopelessness and helplessness. She is highly likely to showcase suicidal
tendencies again. In order to safeguard her vulnerable states, it is essential that she be
assessed first so that appropriate care treatment can be provided to her. PHQ stands for
patient health questionnaire and is commonly used in practiced care. It is also referred to as
PHQ-9 as it contains nine items that are reviewed. Another form of this assessment is also
available as PHQ-2 which is the shorter version (Nevid,71). Through this approach, the past
mental condition of the patient is known by asking a question about how they were feeling
lately and the thoughts that have been plaguing them. PHQ allows the physician to get a
diagnosis of her own and not focus on Maria’s previous suicidal tendencies. The question
probe into the patient’s more recent thoughts.
2. It is clear that Maria’s suicidal tendencies arose from a desire to escape the monotonous
life she was leading. She was disillusioned and was desperately trying to improve her living
conditions by seeking education. She dreamt of going to college. However, due to sudden
disillusionment after her husband tore her form and forbade her to go to school. She was
shocked and felt confined in her monotonous and hectic life. As an escape, she became
suicidal.
Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Relationship Distress with Intimate Partner,
Partner Abuse, Psychological, Suspected, Initial Encounter and Diabetes.
Problem and symptoms: suicide attempt, hopelessness, helplessness, restrained feelings,
unable to maintain eye contact.
Immediate goals: Develop a no suicidal thought plan where Maria does not indulge any
thoughts of killing or even harming herself.
Strategy: Individual therapy to allow Maria to learn to verbalize her feelings and be able
to see a way out of her problems.
Short term goal: Maria will be able to identify negative thoughts and poor self-esteem
opinions. Identifying such thoughts is a step toward curbing them.
Strategy: Individual as well as relationship therapy with spouse. Her husband needs to be
able to manage his temper and allow Maria to be her own person.
Long term goal: Reduction in the symptoms of depressions and not interfere with how
Maria perceives the responses of others.
Strategy: medical therapy along with complementary treatment approaches such as
meditation.
3. Strengths that can be capitalized

● Love for learning: From the little information available about Maria, it is clear that she
has a love for learning and as a result dreamt of going to college. The psychiatrist or
therapist can help her to align this strength with her treatment approach where she will
learn to be able to control and present her thought, emotions healthily.
● Humility: According to the words of the psychiatrist, Maria is low-keyed and finds it
difficult to meet eye to eye. She appears to humble and does not want to be the center of
attention. Maria can be encouraged to take part in a self-help group where she carefully
listens and assimilates the journey of recovery of other patients.
● Curiosity- Maria appears to be curious as she is done with her tedious job and is looking
for new opportunities that will open with her college degree. Maria can be encouraged to
seek out more experiences or situation that challenge her and learn through the process.
Strengths that need to be developed
● Bravery: Maria opted to end her life after her husband did not allow her to attend night
school. Through therapy, the strength of bravery needs to be inculcated that would allow
Maria to put forward her convictions and opinion even at the face of threat.
● Hope: The therapist said that Maria had lost her hope and was tired of continuing
medical therapy along with her daily job. She needs to be able to find hops and focus on
the beauty, positive things in life. These things will motivate her to keep struggling and
not accepting defeat.
● Perseverance: Maria has perseverance, she had continued with her job with so long and
had also come with a possible solution for improving her life. However, she needs to
work on her skill and persist towards her goal.
Strengths and drawbacks of these strengths in context to her treatment
Maria’s curiosity and willingness to learn would prove to be the most significant strengths that
would allow her to pick herself up. However, her humility will prevent her to put her own
beliefs, opinions and needs before others which lead to a feeling of unfulfillment and low self-
esteem (Nevid, 101).
4. Maria has never been diagnosed with a mental condition and is also reluctant to accept help
from the psychiatrist after being discharged from the hospital. She is also worried about her
physical health and is concerned about the need to use medications. It seems that she is hesitant
to accept medical help, probably because they make her feel weak and not in control of her body.
In the case of psychiatrist help, there is a stigma attached to mental disorders and suicide. People
diagnosed with a mental illness are regarded as a disgrace and it is believed that the problem
cannot be treated (Nevid, 132).
5. Maria is Hispanic but she is able to clearly converses in both English and Spanish. Even
though the language does not pose as a barrier but there are other issues like culture, stigma and
discrimination. Hispanics have their own cultural beliefs that have formed their health beliefs
and behaviors (Engel, 949). The Hispanic community expects Maria to follow the accepted
behaviors. However, by accepting help from a psychiatrist she is going against her cultural
beliefs and is such behavior is often condemned.

6. After reviewing this case analysis, it can be concluded that the scenario was helpful in
identifying the strengths already present in the personality of the patient and incorporating them
in the treatment. The patient can also be encouraged to inculcate more personality strengths
which were earlier lacking. In most patients, with depression and other acquired mental
disorders, the range of strength lacking is similar. This technique could, therefore, be used as an
accepted intervention for depression .

References
Nevid, Jeffrey S., Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World. Pearson India Education
Services, (2019): 71
Nevid, Jeffrey S., Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World. Pearson India Education
Services, (2019): 101
Nevid, Jeffrey S., Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World. Pearson India Education
Services, (2019): 132