Behavior Domain

Based on the Behavior Severity Scale, I would score Amy’s degree of impairment a six. Amy’s behaviors are maladaptive but not immediately destructive. She does drink, but only one or two glasses of wine, one to three times a week. Drinking to “numb out” is a typical (yet maladaptive) coping mechanism for individuals suffering from PTSD (dissociation) (James & Gilliland, 2017). Although it is maladaptive, this pattern is not life-threatening (my perception). Although Amy’s daily living task performance is minimally compromised, her act of cutting herself in alarming. That behavior can pose a potential threat to herself. I do not necessarily think she is experiencing suicidal ideation, but I would take that information seriously. I believe behaviors could be controlled with the aid of interventions or counseling treatment (hence why she is seeking help now).

Cognitive Domain

Based on the Cognitive Severity Scale, I would score Amy’s degree of impairment a three. She can articulate her problem in candid detail. An individual’s cognitive processes normally view the event in terms of transgression, threat, and loss (James & Gilliland, 2017). Amy is well aware that her experience of sexual assault is negatively affecting her emotions and behavior. Although her decisions are becoming a little indecisive, her thought process still under control. She expresses that she feels disconnected from her spiritual beliefs and family. She is aware of the views of her family members (and their acknowledgment of her behavioral change), thus deciding to keep her distance (self-induced lack of support). She has developed some patterns of cognitive distortions, as she views herself as damaged goods. She recognizes that emotional, behavioral, and cognitive change must occur to achieve academically and pursue a relationship.

References:

James, R. K., & Gilliland, B. E. (2017). Crisis intervention strategies (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/

Wlison, C., Lonsway, K. A., Archambault, J., & Hopper, J. (2016). Understanding the neurobiology of trauma and implications for interviewing victims. End Violence Against Women International. Retrieved from https://evawintl.org/Library/DocumentLibraryHandler.ashx?id=842