Mental Retardation Psychology Disorder - Case Study Example

Mr. Smith Case Study According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth Edition, Text Revision, or the DSM-IV-TR, Mr. Smith’s case can be categorized as mild mental retardation (Frances, and Ross, 2001). The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published the DSM-IV-TR as a system of recognizing mental health disorders. The APA is a codding system that utilizes the DSM-IV-TR that also corresponds to the international classification of diseases or the ICD. The DSM-IV-TR is mainly applied in accessing mental diagnostic codes. The current version of the DSM-IV-TR in organized into five parts axis system that allows incorporation of the reports of the clinical disorders while covering personal disorders and intellectual disabilities (Frances, and Ross, 2001). Additionally, the DSM-IV-TR also concentrates on the medical, environmental, as well as psychosocial factors in assessing the functionality of human mental status. Notably, the application of the APA parameters into the Mr. Smith’s case leads to the conclusion that he suffers from mild mental disorder. Mental retardation is the condition where a person’s ability to learn and function is intensely limited as compared to persons of the same age (Riva, Bulgheroni, and Pantaleoni, 2007) and under the same environment. During infancy, persons suffering from mental retardation may be slow in responding to circumstances (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). Additionally, toddlers and infants may show delayed development in language among other skills. However, the diagnoses of mental retardation (Switzky, 2006) are never carried out to people until they are in elementary school where most of persons suffering from the same display difficulties in mastering academic skills. There are numerous mental health disorders that a person may be diagnosed, and they include mild mental retardation, moderate mental retardation, server mental retardation, and profound mental retardation. The mild mental retardation is a mental disorder that has affected the largest group of persons with mental disorders (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). Persons within this category are often considered educable. Additionally, their intellectual levels are higher compared to children of the age between eight and eleven. Their social adjustment is often approximated to those of the adolescent persons; however, they tend to lack the imagination, judgments, and inventiveness of the adolescents. Ordinarily, the mild mentally retarded people do not have any sign of physical anomalies or brain pathology (Switzky, 2006). Furthermore, they often require supervision measures due to the limited ability to judge or gauge the consequences of the actions. Nonetheless, early diagnosis of the mild mental retardation, the affected person can be subjected to numerous assistances including being placed under the exceptional education programs among other programs (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). These programs often-great positive impact to the majority since they positively influence their social lives through enhancing their mastery to accessible academic and occupational skills. Most of these programs aim at making these patient self-supporting citizens. Diagnoses of mild mentally retarded persons are a criterion that must meet three areas of consideration. The first consideration for diagnosis of the mild mental retardation is the age factor where a person under diagnosis must be above 18 years of age. However, the disorder must have manifested in much earlier years (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). According to the case, Mr. Smith is above the age of 18 years and had displayed these characteristics in much earlier years. For instance, Mr. Smith had gone through a series of grade since his mental condition has made him to loss memory; thus, had difficulties in performing well in academics (Switzky, 2006). The second requirement is the persons must be below average general or required intellectual functionality. The general intellectual functioning is also defined as the intellectual quotient (IQ). This a standard obtained by different assessments against standardized, individually assessed or administered intelligent tests. The interpretation of the results and the choice of these tests often take into the account factors that might interfere with the test performance (Switzky, 2006). Some of the parameters in play include sociological background associated communication and native language, as well as motor and sensory handicaps. Under these circumstances, the diagnosis must consider the family background of Mr. Smith (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). Apparently, Mr. Smith’s mental case might have been contributed by accident that led to his head scull damage at his tender age. In this diagnosis, Mr. Smith performed well especially in responding to the question he was being asked when he was under medication. Gauging the IQ results, the IQ level of Mr. Smith may be rated at 50 – 55 levels that translate to approximately 70 of the total result. Notably, this category constitutes about 85 percent of people suffering from mental retardation problems. Finally, Mr. Smith is to be diagnosed against significant limitations in his adaptive functioning. This diagnosis can be pegged on at least two skills within areas of communication, home living, self-care, social (Riva, Bulgheroni, and Pantaleoni, 2007) and interpersonal skills, self-direction, and use of community resources, work, leisure, functional academic skills, health, and safety (Switzky, 2006). The mild mentally retarded persons are capable to handle most of the activities on their own. Therefore, Mr. Smith categorically falls into the mild mental ill persons since until the time of his arrest he would do most of these by himself (Kaufman and Lichtenberger, 2005). In fact, he lived in his house under his own care. For example, he reported that most of the time he called 911 when he was in pain and the he could be taken to the hospital (Switzky, 2006). Nonetheless, the only information that seems to be in consistence is what contributed to Mr. Smith’s head scar and varied information regarding on how they related with the family members especially the parents. Moreover, the life history of Mr. Smith is a vital tool in his diagnosis since it will enable the nurse to plan, diagnose, and evaluate Mr. Smith’s mental condition. References Frances, A., & Ross, R. (2001). DSM-IV-TR case studies: A clinical guide to differential diagnosis. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Pub. Kaufman, A. S., & Lichtenberger, E. O. (2005). Assessing Adolescent and Adult Intelligence. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Riva, D., Bulgheroni, S., & Pantaleoni, C. (2007). Mental retardation. Montrouge: J. Libbey Eurotext. Switzky, H. N. (2006). International review of research in mental retardation: Vol. 31. Mr. Smith Case Study clinical case report Read More