Assignment 2: RA: Diagnostic Formulation

Review the case given below case study (Psychological Evaluation for Jessica E. Smith) for this required assignment (RA). On the basis of the information in the case study, provide a principal (primary) and a secondary diagnosis for the person using the most recent DSM codes. You will also discuss your diagnoses in narrative (paragraph) form. Then, identify and discuss at least one differential (possible alternate) diagnosis for the principal diagnosis and at least one differential (possible alternate) diagnosis for the secondary diagnosis that you gave. Lastly, discuss whether a diagnosis from other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention is warranted.

While you are welcome to list medical conditions that might be a concern, your primary and secondary diagnoses should be psychological conditions listed in DSM-5.

Your paper should have separate sections for:

• Principal and secondary diagnoses
• The reasons for selecting the principal and secondary diagnoses
• Social and cultural factors that may influence the principal and secondary diagnoses
• Differential diagnoses, including a consideration of whether a diagnosis from other conditions are applicable
• The reasons for selecting the differential diagnoses
• Your rationale and justification for why your actual diagnoses are a better fit than your differential diagnoses

Include citations and references in APA style. Your paper should be 5–7 pages in length.

Click here to read the case study (Psychological Evaluation for Jessica E. Smith).

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria

Assignment ComponentProficient

Maximum Points

Provide a principal diagnosis for the selected case study.

At least one principal diagnosis was provided.

20

Provide a secondary diagnosis for the selected case study.

At least one secondary diagnosis was provided.

20

Discuss the rationale for the principal and secondary diagnoses in narrative form.

Discussed clear reasons for the principal and secondary diagnoses based on the DSM criteria.

24

Discuss social and cultural factors that may influence the principal and secondary diagnoses

Provided a thorough discussion on social and cultural factors that may influence the principal and secondary diagnoses

24

Identify at least one differential (alternate) diagnosis for the principal diagnosis.Provided a plausible differential diagnoses for the principal diagnosis, including a consideration of whether a diagnosis from other conditions are applicable

20

Identify at least one differential (alternate) diagnosis for the secondary diagnosis.Provided a plausible differential diagnoses for the secondary diagnosis, including a consideration of whether a diagnosis from other conditions are applicable.

20

Discuss the reasons for your differential diagnoses.Gave a clear rationale for each of the differential diagnoses based on the DSM criteria.

32

Justify why your initial diagnoses are a better fit than the differential diagnoses.Clarified why your actual diagnoses are better suited for the person in the vignette than any of the differential diagnoses.

24

Writes in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA); and displays accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.