Diagnostic Labels as Powerful Communications

A diagnosis is powerful in the effect it can have on a person’s life and treatment protocol. When working with a client, a social worker must make important decisions—not only about the diagnostic label itself but about whom to tell and when. In this Discussion, you evaluate the use and communication of a diagnosis in a case study. To prepare: Focus on the complex but precise definition of a mental disorder in the DSM-5 and the concept of dimensionality both there and in the Paris (2015) and Lasalvia (2015) readings. Also note that the definition of a mental disorder includes a set of caveats and recommendations to help find the boundary between normal distress and a mental disorder. Then consider the following case: Please see attachment for case. Post a 300- to 500-word response in which you address the following: **Identify the symptoms or “red flags” in the case study that may be evaluated for a possible mental health disorder. **Discuss how the social worker should have approached the diagnosis. In your analysis, consider the following questions: *Why is making a “tentative” diagnosis problematic? *Should the social worker have shared this suspected diagnosis based on the limited assessment with Ms. Evans at this time? *Explain the potential impact of this diagnosis immediately and over time if the “tentative” diagnosis is a misdiagnosis.