In the case of Kevin, it is clear that traumas that happened during early childhood are playing a role in his current mental status. Adverse childhood experiences like, living with his mother who was mentally ill and suicidal put him at a higher risk of developing mental and emotional health issues (James & Gilliland, 2016). Moreover, Kevin’s mother’s untimely death occurred when Kevin was 2 years old which is a critical time for developing confidence and security. According to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages, the lack of support Kevin received at this time could explain why he feels overly dependent on his dad, lacks self-esteem or confidence and doubts his abilities. Moreover, the fact that he was with his mom when she committed suicide …show more content…
He is also open to services, highly intelligent and creative. Kevin’s dad, Doug is also a good support for him because he is open to assistance and has a deep concern for his child. Kevin’s family and support network could be something to tap into as a possible intervention. Moreover, it appears that Kevin’s felony triggered a lot of these concerning behaviors in Kevin and as a Social Worker I would want to explore the expungement process.
Diagnosis
Kevin could benefit from a DSM-V diagnosis to better tailor his treatment plan. Personally, I do not have the proper training or expertise to definitively diagnosis him. However, given the case description I can concur that Kevin is suffering from depression and anxiety but may have an additional diagnosis given the amount of paranoia he is experiencing.
Systemic Considerations As previously mentioned, Kevin’s early childhood traumas like the loss of his mother has made a lasting impact on his current mental health status. Lack of early attachment history and bonding has played a role in his distress, sadness, depression and lack of social supports or meaningful relationships (Wedding & Corsini, 2014). Socioeconomic issues should also be explored and considered as a barrier for Kevin since he expressed concerns about not having enough food and having to fend for
He has had four arrests. His most recent arrest was for possession of drugs. Furthermore, he is a truant, does not follow household rules, may be abusing drugs, and steals. I recommended that Justin be referred to a residential treatment center (RTC), since adoptive mother cannot manage him. His adoptive mother asked me if an RTC would really help Justin in improving his behavior. Thus, my first COPES question, an effectiveness question, reads as follows:
In a Ted Talk entitled “How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime,” pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains how repeated abuse and neglect can have effects on the brain. Harris has started a clinic with her colleagues, focusing on childhood trauma and its affects. Harris routes her talk with scientific research and evidence, but her information is presented in a way for everyone to understand. To support her claim about childhood trauma, Harris establishes her ethos, by presenting information from herself and her colleagues, and various others, giving her creditability. Harris relies on logos and pathos throughout her talk as well, saying how one’s ACE score directly affects their health. Her pathos is credited here by allowing the audience to have an emotional response and also her logos as strong evidence is being used.
Adverse childhood experiences known as the ACE Study, was developed to determine whether childhood events had long-term health consequences, which has important implications for Healthy People 2020 Policy planning, as well as for key social work roles in disease prevention. (Larkin, Felitti, Anda, 2014). Based on the Michael’s case he has experienced six ACEs, child abuse that was both emotional and physical, alcohol abuse, single parent home, working class, and lack of support/closeness with family. Some studies suggest that the experience of four or more ACEs is a threshold above which there is a particular higher risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes. (Sacks, Murphey, Moore, 2014) Early life stress, including neglect and abuse,
Children experience decreased development in the left brain when traumatic events occur (Network, n.d.). Imagine being a child and growing up with these types of events occurring. A traumatic event in a child’s life can cause a child to experience a long lasting negative effect. Life events are happening everywhere and more often in the lives of children (Understanding Child Traumatic Stress, n.d.). Trauma can cause them to do three things. First, they try to see what the danger is and how serious it is. Secondly there are strong emotional and physical reactions. Thirdly they attempt to come up with what to do that can help them with the danger. Traumatic events can cause a child to develop differently, which effects the young child stage,
This article provides information collected from several young adults that grew up with a depressed parent. The purpose of the study was to examine how young people make sense of their world while growing up with a parent that suffers from depression. “The term “parentification” was introduced by Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy to refer to family processes in which children take on roles or responsibilities in their families that are age inappropriate (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Spark, 1973) … In other words, parentification refers to (a) an interactional process within the family and (b) an intrapsychic dynamic that is situated on an imaginary or symbolic level and often remains unspoken (523).” As a result, the young person is often forced to deal with the vulnerabilities and unmet needs of the family that they would not otherwise have been exposed.
Demographic variables. Firstly, all participants are asked to give information about their date of birth, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic background and education.
Kyle's parents were never there to support or to help Kyle deal with his problems. Kyle's father is always out drinking and smoking weed with his coworkers and is never their to support Kyle. Kyle's mom is always getting wasted at home (she is a stay-at-home mom) and crying herself to sleep because her husband is never there to love her. This has a serious impact on Kyle. This teenager is stuck to fend for himself and to
How does childhood trauma affect health over a lifetime? To answer this question, let’s dive deeper into childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime and really try to dissect this complex question. The key points that will be discussed in this essay are: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, defining emotional trauma on a child, defining physical trauma on a child, and the role trauma plays in our relationships. Also, discussed in this essay is the effects of trauma on our mental and physical health.
Richardson, Meg, Vanessa Cobham, Brett McDermott, and Judith Murray. "Youth Mental Illness and the Family: Parents' Loss and Grief." Journal of Child & Family Studies 22.5 (2013): 719-736. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.
Kevin has received treatment for his disorder through a psychiatrist, Dr. Karen Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher believes that Kevin has his personalities under control and presents her findings regarding the hope of using this personality disorder to cure other diseases or disabilities.
In Lynne Ramsay’s film of the book We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, we meet a child who shows nothing but hatred and malice, one that could even be described as “pure evil.” From the very start, Kevin expresses no love or affection to the one that gave him life, only an unnerving malice, seemingly unthinkable to come from a toddler. He does not push his mother away, but instead finds new ways to play with her mind. Manipulating her every thought and weaving his way into every fragile crevice. Which brings us to the question: if the link between parent and child is somewhat strained, could that be the result of evil acts the child may commit, or could it be the cause?
In past few years, there are many countries that developed different programs and plans for intervention in child abuse and neglect. But, some of them fail to reach the goal. When there is contact with family or client, at this moment this is intervention. Effective prevention and early intervention services can make a difference when provided at the right time. Intervention is all about time, matter of weeks. In fact, at this critical period you can achieve a progress that is not even equivalent up to 3 years of case treatment and management. Intervention methods are just putting a bandage on the issue of child abuse and neglect (Mathieson, Reynolds, & Topizes, 2009).
“Education -A Restorative Agent against Psychological Trauma in Children” Educating the child, parents, and teachers who are in contact with the child regarding the various effects of trauma is useful in monitoring symptoms of distress requiring interventions. Guidance counselors at school may use techniques such as art therapy, sand trays, play therapy, drawings, or other techniques to elicit material the child considers shameful, frightening or abhorrent (Wohl & Kaufmann, 1985). Workshops for teachers, parents and children; inculcation of aesthetic values through flexible and dynamic curriculum; and effective functioning of Guidance & Counseling as an essential part of every educational system will greatly lessen the traumatic effect on
In this academic essay I will be focusing and explaining my understanding of the Family Social System, how it interacts with other systems, how it works on the internally, but also on Murray Bowen’s family system theory, concepts and tools he has provided for future therapists in the pursuit to help family systems in crisis, how some of his views are very simular to Erik Erikson’s developmental theory stage effects and can actually mesh quite easily to assist in understanding the human psyche in individuals for both theory’s, finally I will explain briefly on genograms and how this tool can help assist in deciphering repetitive detrimental crisis and anxieties in the family system.
Kevin is a twenty-eight-year-old, African American male, with ambition to complete his GED. Kevin was recently released from being incarcerated for period of three years for drug and alcohol abuse charges. He is working with a probation officer and was referred to Extraordinary Changes by his probation officer. Kevin is currently staying with his grandmother and his younger brother, he states that his mother and father suffer from substance abuse and addiction. The client described himself as being a rather unhappy child, something he attributes to having spent much of his time caring for himself and little brother and not engaging enough with other children.