Week 8 Assignment: Diagnostic Skill Application II
Mental Health Counseling, Capella University
COUN5107: Principles of Psychopathology
, 2
The writer will address the presented concerns for the subsequent case studies in the
project. Furthermore, the author will examine the differential diagnoses, the appraisal of
assessment data, and the DSM and ICD diagnostic codes pertinent to each case. Finally, the
author will endeavor to offer medicine referrals and consultations for the customers discussed in
the case studies.
Presenting Concerns: Case One: Kimi
In Kimi's interview, it was noted that her spouse departed approximately six months ago
for a younger woman. Kimi expressed throughout the interview that she felt in control and as
though she were on top of the world. She indicated that her job is progressing favorably and that
she has maintained her weight despite her husband's departure. She now asserts that she feels
terrible once more. Kimi stated in the interview that during her high school and college years,
she would engage in binge eating followed by vomiting. Subsequently, she would have a sense
of relief. Kimi indicates that she does not engage in this behavior daily; she confessed to
consuming substantial amounts of food and purging at least two to three times weekly. Nolen-
Hoeksma (2017) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders indicate that the
described experiences may represent minor manifestations of Bulimia Nervosa. Kimi appears to
have encountered stressful conditions previously, leading to the development of this coping
technique. As a counselor, it is essential to identify the triggers that elicit this coping approach
and to facilitate the discovery of a more constructive method for managing these feelings.
Bulimia Nervosa, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, may
arise following numerous stressful life events and typically initiates throughout adolescence or
early adulthood (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Cultural Assessment Strategy: Case One: Kimi