Causes of Irritability
Irritability can be defined as the feeling of agitation. When an individual is irritable, he or she becomes upset and frustrated easily. Generally, stressful situation gives rise to irritability. Other causes of irritability include tiredness and sickness. Generally, temporary irritability may cause from any physical or mental stress and goes away when the specific issue gets solved. However, irritability if experienced by an individual for a prolonged period of time as in the case of Lauren, may considered to be a major symptom of depression. The mentioned behaviour has the potential to impose negative impact on Lauren’s social, educational as well as professional life. Due to excessive irritability, there prevails a risk of loneliness due to rude conversation with friends, family and relatives. This in turn can result in social isolation (Ehde, Dillworth and Turner 2014). Moreover, Lauren is already suffering from obesity and asthma. In such case, enhanced irritability can worsen those conditions. Depression resulting from irritable condition of Lauren may also impose impact on her educational life. High irritable adversely affect the ability to concentrate. Being a student, lack of concentration will adversely affect Laurens results.
High anxiety and irritability can be considered as two of the major symptoms of Alcoholism. Irritability due to alcoholism gets rapidly transferred into depression. According to researcher, adolescents who drinks heavily, are more likely to attempt for suicide in a stressful situation compared to adolescents who don’t drink. Moreover, teen drinkers also suffer from enhanced number of social problems, suicidal thoughts and violence. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stated that 39 percent of the teenage drinkers exhibit serious behavioral issues while 1 percent of the same suffers from extreme level of psychological distress (Moffitt, 2017) Apart from that, in case of regular alcohol consumption, adolescents are found to suffer from higher level of attention-deficit disorder, aggressiveness and hyperactivity. Dependence on alcohol is another major risk associated with alcoholism in adolescence. Research suggests that teenagers below 17 are more likely to get addicted to alcohol compared to adults (Vargas et al., 2014). Thus it can be clearly understood that irritability due to low mood nd alcoholism are highly related. In order to eradicate the psychological issues Lauren suffering from, it is highly crucial to prevent her alcohol consumption.
Question 2: a) Assessment of helpful behavior of Rob
Action taken by Rob |
Comments |
Explanation |
1. Rob has suggested physical exercise as a part of his daily routine |
“physical activity for someone your age is critical Lauren” |
Considering the fact that Lauren is suffering from obesity which in is affecting her psychological as well as physical health, physical activity will be highly beneficial for Lauren. Moreover, Physical activity will help her to increase her attention and make her feel energized. Regular physical activity has the potential to reduce her tendency to consume alcohol. Considering the fact that the chief aim of Rob was to enhance the energy of Lauren and prevent depression, the action taken by rob by prescribing regular physical activity was highly helpful (Roberson-Nay et al. 2015). |
2. The approach taken by Rob while communicating with Lauren was helpful |
“sorry Lauren but we really need to address your drinking and lack of activity” |
Being a psycratist, Rob was demonstrating gentle and understanding approach while communicating with Lauren. However, the approach shown by Lauren was rude and offending. This demonstration of patience while listing to the issues of healthcare user is highly appreciable. For instance when Rob had asked her what’s a typical weaken means to her, Lauren had demonstrated rudeness while answering the questions. In the above scenario when Lauren was exhibiting rude attitude, demonstration of anger would have make it difficult for him to access her issues an understand the specific issues behind her anxiety and irritable behavior. |
- b) Assessment of unhelpful behavior of Rob
Action taken by Rob |
Comments |
Explanation |
1. Considering the fact that Lauren was demonstrating reluctance to her asthma medications, take part in physical activity and lessen her alcohol consumption, Rob had organized a meeting session with Lauren and her parents. in this meeting session, he disclosed that Lauren needs the help of a support group in order to get rid of alcoholism. |
“I don’t want to go into details but I think Lauren would be well served to make some other friends, and avoid seeing those friends for a while. I’d also like to suggest that she contact a support group… “ |
The major reason behind the psychological issues suffered by Lauren includes lack of mental security. In such cases, the chief role of a mental healthcare professional is to make her feel secure and relaxed. Being a adolescent, Lauren lacks the maturity needed by her to understand the changes in her characteristics and how it can affect her in future. In such situation, healthcare service users often become highly vulnerable and resistant to any kind of criticism. Criticism, instead of acting like constructive motivation, enhances their desire to not follow the path shown to them. This in turn hinders their way to get recovered. The discussion of her parents with Rob has made her more vulnerable which in turn has the potential to her way towards recovery. |
2. Since Lauren is suffering from severe psychological anxiety, Rob should have implemented therapeutic treatment for treating Laurel. |
Since it can be clearly, understood that Lauren is unable to understand her present condition and how it is gradually degrading both her psychological as well as physical health, lack of therapeutic treatment and medication is hindering her way towards recovery from alcohol consumptions and behavioral issues. |
Question 3: Suggested modification of rob’s action during the consultation in order to enhance her health outcomes
Actions |
Modifications |
1. Rob during his consultation with Lauren’s family had disclosed that Lauren needs the help of a support group in order to get rid of alcoholism. Considering the fact that Lauren had informed the doctor about the exact amount of alcohol consumption done by her and asked Rob not to disclose the amount in front of her parents, this action of Rob had made her feel betrayed. |
Considering the fact that the chief goal of Rob is to eradicate the psychological issues suffered by Lauren long with reduce her alcohol consumption, as a psychologist it is highly crucial for him to maintain the confidentiality of the patient. Maintenance of confidentiality would have enhanced the relationship between the pateient and the doctor. Lauren, as an individual may felt being respected. This in turn had the potential to enhance the trust of Lauren on Rob and she may reach out to him for timely support in regards to the ongoing health concerns. Once the trust of the health care user it gained, it becomes easier for the healthcare service user to treat the patient and enhance his physical or mental condition (Copeland, Brotman & Costello, E2015). |
Since Lauren is suffering from severe psychological anxiety, Rob should have implemented therapeutic treatment for treating Laurel. |
It can be understood that Rob was trying to eradicate the issue of excessive alcohol consumption of Laurel though oral sessions (. However, since Laurel is a adolescent, mere oral therapy seems to be not working for her. Considering the fact that the condition of Lauren was deteriorating rapidly, Rob could have introduced therapeutic treatment and medication instead of a prolonged oral consultation. |
Question 4: Theoretical techniques Rob should employ to assist Lauren in addressing alcohol consumption as recommended.
Considering the fact that Lauren is majorly suffering from irritability due to low mood, therapeutic treatment focusing on discovery of the underlying cause that may be a mental health condition or outside factor is highly crucial. For instance, Rob can employ the Cognitive behavioral therapy. With the help of this therapy, Rob will be able to reframe thoughts of Laurel that in turn will enhance her behavior. The cognitive behavioral therapy is highly popular among patients with irritability issues (Mulraney, Melvin & Tonge, 2014). Additionally, Rob should also employee effective tress management skills and techniques like meditations and mindfulness in order to further reduced the impact of irritability in Lauren.
When it comes to alcoholism off Lauren, Psychotherapy can be effective technique to get rid of the phenomenon. Psychotherapy involves personal counseling with a therapist. The aim of the treatment is to help an alcoholic individual understand themselves, their issues and motivations better (Jacobus & Tapert, 2013). Physiotherapist uses the techniques to enhance self-observation and awareness amongst the patient.
Reference list
Copeland, W. E., Brotman, M. A., & Costello, E. J. (2015). Normative irritability in youth: developmental findings from the Great Smoky Mountains Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(8), 635-642.
Ehde, D.M., Dillworth, T.M. and Turner, J.A., 2014. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with chronic pain: efficacy, innovations, and directions for research. American Psychologist, 69(2), p.153.
Jacobus, J., & Tapert, S. F. (2013). Neurotoxic effects of alcohol in adolescence. Annual review of clinical psychology, 9, 703-721.
Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. In Biosocial Theories of Crime (pp. 69-96). Routledge.
Mulraney, M., Melvin, G., & Tonge, B. (2014). Brief report: Can irritability act as a marker of psychopathology?. Journal of adolescence, 37(4), 419-423.
Roberson-Nay, R., Leibenluft, E., Brotman, M. A., Myers, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., & Kendler, K. S. (2015). Longitudinal stability of genetic and environmental influences on irritability: from childhood to young adulthood. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(7), 657-664.
Vargas, W. M., Bengston, L., Gilpin, N. W., Whitcomb, B. W., & Richardson, H. N. (2014). Alcohol binge drinking during adolescence or dependence during adulthood reduces prefrontal myelin in male rats. Journal of Neuroscience, 34(44), 14777-14782.