Write a 5–7 page final report for Derek or Meredith's defense attorney. Background/Context: Forensic psychologists may do assessments for either the prosecution or defense. Once an assessment has been

Name:

Derek

Age:

20

Gender:

Male

Race or ethnicity (if known):

African American

Marital status (if known):

Single

Other important details:

Is Accused of second degree murder, waiting trail in forensic hospital, has history of aggression, impulsivity and substance use.

Symptom:

Observed:

Not observed:

Depressed mood most of the day, nearly everyday (feels sad, empty, hopeless):

No

Loss of interest or pleasure nearly every day:

No

Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day:

No.

Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day:

Yes

Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day:

Yes

Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day:

Yes

Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day:

Yes

Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day:

Yes

Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide:

Yes

Abnormal and persistent elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormal, persistent increased activity or energy:

Yes

Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity:

Yes

Decreased need for sleep:

Yes

More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking:

Yes

Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing:

Yes

Distractibility (attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli) as reported or observed:

Yes

Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation:

Yes

Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences:

Yes

Excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not, about a number of events or activities:

Yes

Difficulty controlling the feelings of worry:

Yes

Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge:

Yes

Easily fatigued:

Yes

Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank:

Yes

Irritability:

Yes

Muscle tension:

No.

Sleep disturbance (difficultly falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep):

Yes

One or more delusions with a duration of one month or more:

No

Hallucinations:

No

Disorganized speech:

No

Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviors:

Yes

Name of diagnosis:

Bipolar and related disorders

Provide a brief rationale for diagnosis. This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

Periods of high mood, impulsivity, anger, racing thoughts, distractibility, and decreased need for sleep are some of the characteristics Derek exhibits that are typical of bipolar I disorder. In addition, he displays psychotic traits such as disordered conduct and a lack of memory for specific details of the offense. Although it adds complexity to the clinical picture, his history of substance use does not entirely account for his symptoms.

Describe the possible biological origin of these behaviors. This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

Research indicates that there is a significant hereditary component to bipolar disease, with heritability rates ranging from 60 to 80%. Additionally implicated are neurotransmitter abnormalities, specifically in the dopamine and serotonin systems. A potential neurodevelopmental component is suggested by Derek's early behavioral issues.

Describe the possible learning and situational factors that might influence these behaviors. This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

Derek's maladaptive tendencies were exacerbated by his early exposure to hostility, substance abuse, and a lack of steady social support. It's possible that prior experiences of getting away with delinquent behavior, which reinforced impulsivity and violence, had an impact on his criminal behavior.

Describe the possible developmental risks and protective factors that may influence these behaviors. This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

Family dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, and early aggression are risk factors. His risk variables were not sufficiently offset by protective factors, such as his previous close relationship with his grandfather and his reported happy experiences at the cottage.

Name of Assessment:

Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

Assessment of reliability:

The MDQ has demonstrated strong test-retest reliability (0.79) and internal consistency (α = 0.90) in diagnosing bipolar disorder

Assessment of validity:

The MDQ has high sensitivity (0.73) and specificity (0.90) for detecting bipolar spectrum disorders

Recommended population:

The MDQ is validated for use in adults aged 18 and older across diverse populations, making it suitable for Derek’s assessment.

Describe the assessment. This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

The MDQ includes 13 self-evaluation questions that determine bipolar disorder symptoms. The tool evaluates manic and hypomanic symptoms throughout a person's lifetime together with how these symptoms affect their everyday performance. Research suggests the MDQ tool would provide an appropriate assessment of bipolar disorder by investigating if Derek shows signs matching bipolar disorder diagnosis criteria.

Scientific evidence supporting the use of this assessment for this individual (appropriate for both the disorder and the demographic characteristics of your chosen case study). This should be 1–2 fully developed paragraphs. Use APA style citations.

Studies confirm how the MDQ functions in legal contexts for distinguishing between mood-related conditions and primary psychotic disorders. Due to its capacity to detect manic symptoms correctly, it demonstrates potential suitability for Derek's evaluation.