SOCW-6090 Week 3 Assignment

Diagnostic Summary & Mental Status Exam (Carl Case)

📘 Assignment Overview

Before making diagnostic decisions, social workers must conduct a structured diagnostic interview that builds upon a biopsychosocial assessment. The Mental Status Exam (MSE) is a critical component of this process.

The MSE is designed to systematically identify patterns in a client’s cognitive functioning and includes direct clinical observations—some of which the client may not recognize.

In this assignment, you will assume the role of a social worker conducting an MSE for Carl, based on his interview with Dr. Sommers-Flanagan.

🎥 Required Preparation

Before completing the assignment:

1. Watch the Carl Assessment video:
2. https://vimeo.com/239052682
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdmG739KFF8&feature=youtu.be
4. Take notes on the nine domains of the Mental Status Exam.
5. Review:
6. Morrison (2014) Diagnosis Made Easier
7. Chapter 10: Diagnosis and the Mental Status Exam (pp. 119–126)
8. Chapter 17: Beyond Diagnosis: Compliance, Suicide, Violence (pp. 271–280)
9. The “9 Areas to Evaluate for a Mental Status Exam”
10. The example diagnostic summary write-up
11. The case presentation attachment example (use this format for your paper)

📝 Assignment Instructions

Submit a 2–3 page case presentation paper addressing both parts below.

🔹 Part I: Diagnostic Summary and MSE

Provide a professional diagnostic summary for Carl including:

Identifying Information

1. Client demographics

Presenting Concerns

1. Chief complaint
2. Present illness

Clinical History

1. Past psychiatric history
2. Substance use history
3. Past medical history
4. Family history

Mental Status Exam

(Professional and concise responses for all nine areas)

1. Appearance
2. Behavior / Psychomotor Activity
3. Attitude toward Interviewer
4. Affect and Mood
5. Speech and Thought
6. Perceptual Disturbances
7. Orientation and Consciousness
8. Memory and Intelligence
9. Reliability, Judgment, and Insight

🔹 Part II: Analysis of the MSE

Demonstrate critical thinking supported by course readings.

Address the following:

1. Follow-Up Needs

Identify areas in your MSE that require additional data collection.

2. Cross-Cutting Measures

Explain how use of DSM-5 cross-cutting symptom measures would add to your assessment.

3. Diagnostic Clarity

Do Carl’s answers assist in clarifying a diagnosis? Why or why not?

4. Discussing Diagnosis

Would you discuss a potential diagnosis with Carl at this stage? Why or why not?

📚 Citation Requirements

1. Support Part II with scholarly citations
2. The DSM-5 and case study do not need to be cited
3. Use Morrison (2014) and other assigned readings
4. Follow APA formatting

📌 Important Notes

✔ Use the Case Presentation Attachment Example format

✔ Be professional and concise

✔ Focus on objective clinical observation

✔ Demonstrate integration of theory and practice

✔ 2–3 pages total

📌 Need Help Structuring Your MSE Paper?

If you need:

✔ Help organizing the nine MSE domains

✔ Professional clinical wording

✔ APA formatting

✔ Support integrating Morrison (2014)

✔ Clear critical analysis for Part II

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