In two to three pages, complete the case study below by answering the questions. Maria Lopez is a single Hispanic female living in a large Mississippi city. She is 35 years old and has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She recently lost her job and health insurance, so she does not take any medication for her illnesses. Maria has had physical health issues as well, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Maria’s closest family lives in Florida, but she rarely sees them, as both parents are alcoholics.
- Speculate on Maria’s mental illness onset, its course, and its possible outcome.
- Explain the close association between Maria’s mental illnesses and her physical comorbidity.
- Describe how Maria would answer quantitative questions regarding four dimensions of health: life satisfaction, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: This case study presents a scenario of Maria Lopez, who has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case highlights the challenges faced by Maria due to her mental illnesses and how they are closely associated with her physical comorbidity. Additionally, the case study explores how Maria would answer quantitative questions regarding four dimensions of health to assess her overall health status.
1. Speculation on Maria’s mental illness onset, its course, and possible outcome:
Maria’s mental illness onset is likely due to her traumatic experiences. She has been diagnosed with MDD and PTSD, which indicates that she has been through a significant amount of emotional upheaval. Her mental illnesses may have been triggered by the traumatic events in her past, which she has not been able to fully come to terms with. Additionally, her physical health issues, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, may have contributed to her mental health concerns.
The course of Maria’s mental illnesses is likely to be chronic, given the lack of treatment due to job loss and no health insurance. This may lead to the exacerbation of her symptoms and further deterioration of her mental health, which may affect her daily life activities. Without adequate treatment and support, the possible outcome for Maria is less optimistic. She may struggle with her mental health for a prolonged duration.
2. Explanation of the close association between Maria’s mental illnesses and her physical comorbidity:
The close association between Maria’s mental illnesses and her physical comorbidity is due to the fact that they are interrelated and can impact each other. The stress associated with Maria’s mental health conditions can lead to physiological changes that can impact her physical health. For instance, her PTSD can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which can worsen her hypertension and cause further health complications. Furthermore, her depression and anxiety may lead to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as poor diet and lack of exercise, which can exacerbate her physical comorbidity.
3. Description of how Maria would answer quantitative questions regarding four dimensions of health:
Regarding life satisfaction, Maria would likely report low levels of satisfaction, given her unemployment and lack of social support. Hopelessness levels might also be high considering the lack of resources for her to access the necessary services to deal with her mental and physical health conditions. Anxiety and depression levels are likely to be high due to her mental illnesses, which can considerably affect her daily life activities.
In conclusion, Maria’s case highlights the importance of addressing the interrelation between mental and physical health for better health outcomes. Adequate interventions to improve her mental health and physical comorbidity are necessary to help her lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
