Trevor Lewis, a 32 year old single man living with his parents was brought to his psychiatric
consultation by his mother. She noted that since adolescences he had been concerned with
germs, which led to a long-standing hand washing and showering rituals. During the prior 6
months, his symptoms had markedly worsened. He had become preoccupied with being
infected by HIV and spent the day cleaning not only his body but all of his clothing and linen. He
had begun to insist that the family also wash their clothing and linen regularly, and this had led
to the current consultation.
Mr. Lewis had in the past received a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and cognitive
behavioral therapy for his symptoms. They had had some positive effect, and he had been able
to complete high school successfully. Nevertheless, his symptoms had prevented him from
completing college or working outside the home: he had long felt that home was relatively germ
free in comparison to the outside world. However, over the past 6 months he had increasingly
indicated that home, tow was contaminated, including with HIV.
At the time of presentation, Mr. Lewis had no other obsessive compulsive and related disorder
symptoms such as sexual, religious, or other obsessions; appearance or acquisition
preoccupations or body focused repetitive behaviors. However, in the past he had also
experiences obsession concerning harm to self and others, together with related checking
compulsions (e.g. checking that the stove was switched off). He had a childhood history of
motor tics. During high school, he found that marijuana reduced his anxiety. Referencing his
social isolation, he denied having had access to marijuana or any other psychoactive substance
for at least a decade.
On mental status examination, Mr. Lewis appeared disheveled and un kempt. He was
completely convicted that HIV had contaminated his home and that his washing and cleaning
were necessary to stay uninfected. When challenged with the information that HICV was spread
only by bodily fluids, he answered that HIV might have come into the home via the sweat or
saliva of visitors. In any event, the virus might well be surviving on clothes or linen, and could
enter his body via his mouth, eyes, oer other orifices. He added that his parents had tried to
convince him that he was excessively worried, but not only did he not believe them, but his
worries kept returning even when he tried to think of something else. There was no evidence of
hallucinations or of formal thought disorder. He denied an intention to harm or kill himself or
others. He was cognitively intact.
Prepare a Case Formulation based on the Mr. Lewis case in which you address the following:
- Describe the external or environmental factors that might be relevant in the etiology and maintenance of the client’s presenting problems.
- Describe the internal factors (biological, affective, cognitive) that might be relevant in the etiology and maintenance of the client’s problems.
- Examine the different theoretical perspectives which might be applicable to this particular case and how they apply.
- Detail the complete DSM-5-TR diagnosis you would assign for this particular case.
To successfully complete this assignment, you will need to be concise in covering each of the above four items.
Use the DSM APA Manual as Reference
Requirements: 1,000-1,250 words

Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.