For this discussion we will be revisiting the Case Study of Maria C., who we first “met” in Module 2. Read the updated case study below, and then consider the following:
by LaBellaVida Describe how Maria’s substance use has progressed over time?
Identify any signs (measurable indicators) and symptoms (subjective complaints) Maria demonstrates for substance use disorder and mental health disorders. Do not try to make a diagnosis – just identify key signs/symptoms.
What substance using behavior(s) do you feel could have the greatest impact on her mental health?
Describe how any signs and symptoms of substance use and mental health disorders may interact to impair her functioning at home, in school, and in her social life.
Please post a response, and remember to respond to at least two other people’s postings. All posts should be thoughtful and relevant.
Case Study: Maria C.
Maria C. is a 16 year old Latina female who is 5’7″ tall and over the last 2 months has lost some weight. She has dropped from 140 lbs. to 125 lbs. Her marijuana use has progressed from smoking once or twice per week to smoking 4 – 6 days a week. She has sometimes has used marijuana while at school and smokes a 1/2 a pack of cigarettes per day. Formerly a solid B student, Maria’s grades have begun to suffer recently. Her alcohol use has now increased from one to two weekends a month to most weekends. She has no current health problems, however, her doctor is concerned about her weight loss. She is still dating a man several years older than her and they continue to use cocaine together. Maria is sexually active with her boyfriend. When at home she is often in her room, sleeps, watches TV, or spends time on social media. Maria has mentioned that seeing other people’s lives on Instagram and Snapchat makes her feel worried about where her life is going and causes her to think negative thoughts about herself.
Although she would still like to graduate from high school next year and attend a local community college to become a paralegal, Maria’s grades are getting to the point that this may be unrealistic; she has also skipped school on at least 4 occasions to “hang out” with her boyfriend with whom she spends most of her free time. She states that her boyfriend is the only person in her life with whom she feelings safe and comfortable.
She lives with her parents and her younger brother Roberto, age 13, with whom she has begun to have conflict. She and Roberto had gotten along well in the past. Maria’s parents are becoming more concerned about her marijuana use (they once found marijuana in her room) and wonder if she is using other drugs or if she is depressed. They encourage her to leave her room to interact with them and with her brother but she refuses. Whenever her parents attempt to talk to her about their concerns, heated arguments ensue. They still have not met Maria’s boyfriend and are beginning to insist that she bring him over so they can meet him, which she has so far refused to do. Maria’s parents suspect that she is sexually active but Maria denies this when her parents ask about it. They are getting closer and closer to taking her to a drug treatment center or a mental health counselor.
Maria wishes her parents would “mind their own business”, yet she expresses concern about her school performance and not being able to graduate on time. Nonetheless, she does not see her alcohol or other drug (AOD) use, truancy, weight loss or what her parents call her “moodiness” as problems.