Case Study Scenario Paper

PSYCH/627

Case Study Scenario Paper

Stress, within the world we live in today, has become as common as a breath one may take. However, stress may not only affect you mentally but physically and emotionally as well. These signs of stress could have symptoms that may affect a person’s eating, daily activities, social interactions, along with sleep. It has been reported in many psychological studies that stress has influenced other health problems, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular imperfections, depression, and insomnia. The purpose of the case study is to evaluate Suzette’s case, explain her stressors illustrated within the study, describe the effects of these stressors on her mind and body, describe methods that I would utilize to assess her stress levels, and explain the biological and psychological mechanisms that describe the effects of stress on her sleep. Also an assessment of the effects of Suzette’s ongoing stress and insomnia on her health would also be discussed, possible signs of sleep deprivation, follow up questions will be provided, a diagnosis, and recommendation strategies to aid in improving her health.

Suzette’s Specific Stressors

Suzette is a typical Caucasian women who has been married for 24 years and has three teenage children (University of Phoenix, 2013). However, a day in her life is not all that ordinary. Suzette has many things going on in her life that may potentially affect her mentally and psychically. The first stressor that is mention in this case study describes her spouse’s recent lay off from his job of 15 years. This stressor is serious because it affects their family’s source of income that they use to take care of themselves and their children. This also resulted in Suzette having to seek part time employment to help out the family financially. However, the limited income has caused them to fall way behind in their mortgage payments for the home they own (University of Phoenix, 2013). She also has to deal with her husband’s despondent ways since he lost his job. He also has been more of a burden than help since then, spending most days at home, eliminating job opportunities due to his own personal opinion of he being too good for them. Her husband’s alcohol consumption also increased just as his employment opportunities decreased. Luckily, through all these stressors affecting Suzette, her children seem to be still on track, fairly well adjusted (University of Phoenix, 2013). Suzette also has irregular sleep patterns that has caused a concern to her. According to the University of Phoenix (2013) case study, ” She falls asleep within 15 minutes but frequently wakes up “at 2 or 3 a.m.” and is unable to fall back to sleep” (para. 2). This issue, according to her has gotten worse and its beginning to be a problem more often than not. Her only complaint is that her sleeping patterns is posing a problem on her physically and mentally, since she could never fully get a nights sleep.

Their Present and Potential Effects on Her Mind and Body

Suzette has a lot of things going on in her life that influences her stress and as a result its beginning to weigh down heavy on her physically and mentally. However, the affect that bothered Suzette the most was her insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation (2014), “Stress causes insomnia by making it difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep, and by affecting the quality of your sleep” (para. 1). Stress causes hyperarousal and as a result the balance of sleepiness and wakefulness has shifted. Physically, she appears to be healthy. Suzette visits the doctor regularly, her blood pressure is normal, and does not consume any drugs or drink alcohol (University of Phoenix, 2013). However, due to her family financial set back s she has not been able to keep up on her gym membership and as a result she rarely exercises anymore. Overall, Suzette’s stress is beginning to take a toll on her mind and body, so proper assessments should be taken to determine her stress levels.

Methods Used to Assess Suzette’s Stress Levels

Feeling overwhelmed and stress is a fact of life. But stress and stressors are often unique to the individual. How Suzette views her situation could determine the amount of stress she may be consumed with on a daily basis. How one would measure her stress levels begins with a psychological approach, such as a questionnaire that determines what characteristics in her life causes her to be stressed. For example, are there problems in your family, are you finding it difficult to connect with your spouse, financial problem questions, or job environment could be some of the questioned asked to determine daily stress. According to Goulston (2010), “Stress develops when you have more pressure on you than you are able to handle”(para. 5).

Reference

Goulston, M. (2010). Are You Stressed Out? Take the Quiz. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/just-listen/201010/are-you-stressed-out-take-the-quiz

National Sleep Foundation. (2014). Stress and Insomnia. Retrieved from http://Stress and Insomnia

Straub, R. O. (2012). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.

University of Phoenix. (2013). Week one assignment scenario. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, PSYCH627 website.