Term on Psychological Evaluation - Research Paper Example

?Psychological Evaluation Identifying Information and Reason for Referral This report functions as a psychological evaluation of a patient that was reported to the clinic seeking medical attention. Linda is a thirty year old, French native. Background Information Broadly speaking, Linda attributes her depression to her recent loss of employment and separation from her long-term boyfriend. Linda has demonstrated a history of good health, with sporadic bouts of depressive symptoms. She posses a Bachelor of Arts in Literature. Screen Procedures The patient, Linda, was interviewed. She was then administered three different psychological evaluations in an effort to better discern her underlining condition and to develop a comprehensive treatment approach. The psychological evaluations that were administered to Linda include an MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) evaluation, an HTP (house tree person), and a TAT examination. MMPI Linda was administered a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) as a means of developing an overarching understanding of her personality and psychic dimensions. The MMPI is a heavily utilized inventory that implements health scales to measures an individual’s psychopathological symptoms. The separate clinical scales measure ten varying psychic elements, including hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, and psychopathic deviation (Harkness, McNulty, Ben-Porath, Graham 2002). Linda was administered a comprehensive MMPI examination along the ten clinical scales. Her results were collated and a number of personality inventories were determined. According to Linda’s results, her MMPI test demonstrated a score of 27/72. This score is indicative of an anxious, tense and nervous disposition. It includes individuals that are pessimistic about overcoming problems, brooding, as well as overreacting to minor stress situations. Notably, individuals within this range demonstrate a strong need for achievement and recognition of accomplishments. Similarly, they feel guilty when goals are not met. HTP The house tree person psychological evaluation is designed to determine latent variables in the patient’s construction of their daily life. While the evaluation is entirely subjective, it functions to provide the psychologist with a strong view into the patient’s epistemological construction of environment and reality. The house tree person test is recognized as a projective test as the patient is encouraged to provide a free response to the evaluation. The psychologist then implements a norm-referenced and a qualitative evaluation of the specific findings ("House-tree-person test," 2011). While Linda was resistant to the evaluation and rushed through it, her HTP results had a number of notable indicators. The overriding presentation of Linda’s family structure included two parents, a child, and a dog. In these regards, it’s clear that Linda has envisioned a nuclear family structure. To a great degree it’s clear that Linda’s presentation is indicative of a functional life-style pattern; the picture contains stereotypical depictions of a sun, generally happy composures of the individuals, and an animal with a ball. Niolon (2011) indicates that the tree is indicative of ego functioning; in these regards, Linda’s non-prepossessing articulation of a tree is demonstrative of an overriding health self-concept. Still, it’s clear that the family is positioned far away from the house. Similarly, the driveway is slanted before arriving at the street. While these are highly subjective elements they leave a number of overarching impressions. The most pervasive understanding is that the distance between the family and house, as indicated by the driveway, is representative of Linda’s perceived distance between achieving her aims of a family and home. When examined in the context of Linda’s recent loss of her boyfriend and job, it’s clear that the articulation of these notions takes on a variety of connotations. TAT Similar, to the HTP evaluation, the Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT) evaluation is a projective based evaluation (Westen 1991). In large part the TAT evaluation is qualitatively based as it functions through determining the individuals willingness to project thematic tendencies to an entirely ambiguous design structure (Cramer 2004). Linda was administered a ten card TAT evaluation. The results revealed a number of notable elements. While some of the card results were inconclusive, one notable result was a projection of a young woman with an older woman behind her; this reveals Linda’s fear of aging. Other notable findings occurred in a blank card and another one with the graves. When Linda saw them, she thought that this is where she will feel safer as she wants to run away from everything. This suggest that Linda is depressed and is looking for an escape and by answering these questions she is asking for help. Summary and Impressions Ultimately, Linda’s interview and psychological evaluations revealed a number of notable elements. Linda revealed that her depression was brought on by the recent life changes, including her loss of employment and separation from her boyfriend. Linda’s psychological evaluations revealed that she is an individual that places a high level of emphasis on success and achievement. Similarly, she has demonstrated a propensity towards an anxious and neurotic disposition. Linda’s projective tests suggested an individual with a generally functional epistemological interpretation of reality, with notable concerns about her current position. In these regards, it’s clear that Linda has anxiety surrounding aging, as well as a concern with finding career success and children. It is probable that Linda’s recent depressive symptoms were brought on over anxiety concerning these issues, especially when one considers the recent changes in Linda’s life. Recommendations Considering Linda’s situation, this psychological evaluation suggests a number of treatment options. In large part it is understood that Linda’s depressive symptoms have been brought on by recent life changes. As a means of immediately remedying these challenges, it is recommended that Linda receive anti-depressant medication. Similarly, Linda is recommended to engage in regular exercise as a means of combating the depressive symptoms. In addition to pharmaceutical intervention, it is recommended that Linda engage in regular talk-therapy as a means of gaining a self-reflective handle on her current life situation and developing a functional course of action regarding her career and relationship problems. Ultimately, it’s understood that Linda’s symptoms are in-large part a natural reflection of her current life situation and that with a pro-active approach Linda will assuredly overcome her depression and continue with a functional existence. References Cramer, P. (2004). Storytelling, narrative, and the Thematic Apperception Test. New York: Guilford Press. Harkness, A. R., McNulty, J. L., Ben-Porath, Y. S., & Graham, J. R. (2002). MMPI-2 Personality-Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) Scales: Gaining an overview for case conceptualization and treatment planning. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. House-tree-person test. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/House-tree-person-test.html Niolon, R. (2011). House-tree-person drawings. Retrieved from http://www.intelligentietesten.com/house_tree_person_drawings.htm Westen, Drew. Clinical Assessment of Object Relations Using the TAT. Journal of Personality Assessment, Volume 56, Issue 1 February 1991 , pages 56 - 74. Read More