Dismissive Attachment Case Study

Case Study
Jesse is a high school student who presents with anxiety. It is clear that Jesse is adopted as he describes his birth parents. At a young age, Jesse’s biological parents were incapable o proving care for Jesse. As a result, Jesse feels abandoned by his parents. It appears Jesse feels. Most abandoned by his mother as he continues to describe her as a crack whore. It also appears he has some type of resentment giant his mom and has not been able to overcome her abandonment. On the other hand, he does not appear to have the same sense of abandonment and resentment towards his father. The therapist mentioned that during sessions, Jesse fantasizes and describes his father as some type of professional, for example, a novelist, racecar driver, or doctor. He seems to be some blame on the way his life is on his mother, however, puts no blame on his father.

Jesse appears to have dismissive-avoidant attachment style.

During the session, Jesse excited clear characteristics of dismissive attachment style. Jesse answered questions in a guarded way and tried avoiding some questions. When asking about his feeling, Jesse becomes upset about having to express himself. As a child, Jesse did not get his needs met. As a result, without building personal and close relationships with others, he gets his needs met by others that do not lead to emotional intimacy. In the session, the therapist mentioned that Jesse felt as though he had a promiscuity problem however quickly brushes the issue away. Jesse states he believes he is providing service to the community by providing Adderall which he minimizes the severity by describing it as a vitamin. Though unhealthy behaviors Jesse finds a way to get needs met while still being

detached.
Intervention
To treat Jesse’s anxiety cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will be used. CBT will be used because it is a popular treatment for anxiety disorders. Many studies have shown CBT to be effective in treating individuals with anxiety. Currently, Jesse is behaving provocatively and engaging in negative behaviors. Jesse has distorted thinking which effects his behaviors. He skips school, has a history of selling drugs, and engages in sex with multiple partners. In the session, Jesse stated he feels like he is screwed up. In our session, I would challenge Jesse on this belief. First I would ask Jesse why he thinks he is a screw-up. I will then help him evaluate and process his feelings of being a screw-up. This involves questioning the thoughts and beliefs he has.
Another strategy that will be used in our session we will work on replacing negative thoughts with positive and more realistic thoughts. As we identify negative distortions we will develop alternatives to replace them with new thoughts that are more accurate and positive thoughts. Instead of negative and disturbing thoughts. We will work on identifying and developing positive qualities and affirmations. This is a good strategy for Jesse to use when he is faced with a situation where he begins to feel anxious. Jesse continues to describe his birth mother as a crack whore. However after reciting a call from a woman who may be his biological mother he releases that she may be richYour therapist may also help you come up with realistic, calming statements you can say to yourself when you’re facing or anticipating a sit. If Jesse does decide to return the woman phone call and decide he would like to meet her, we can work on processing the possibility of learning the women is his real biological wand what impact will have in his life.
CBT is an effective intervention for anxiety as it promotes positive results in reducing symptoms. One advantage of CBT is cognitive reframing. During CBT therapist spend time on helping clients to reframe their negative thoughts and change their behaviors. CBT has many skills clients can learn. During CBT a significant amount of time on practicing skills. As these skills continued to be practiced in session, clients are able to implement them into their daily lives. When they are faced with stressful situations, they will be able to use positive strategies
Although there are advantages to CBT, there are also disadvantages. One limitation of CBT is that it focuses on the present rather than the past. It addresses clients current issues and how it affects their behavior. CBT does not address past events that may be contributing factors to a client's presenting issues. In Jesse’s case, the abandonment by both his biological parents are contributing factors to his anxiety and behaviors. Another limitation of CBT is that it does not address family systems which often contributes to a clients mental health.
To Jesse approval makes does not make any sense. As a result, he takes on the personality of someone who is provocative and independent, not really caring about anyone. For children who are abandoned, the reasoning behind their abandonment will always be a thought in their mind. As these continue to flow in their minds, it is easy for their unconscious to believe that there is something wrong with them. They may believe they are not loveable which cause them to be detached from others.