ADMINISTRATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
As outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), Jodie meets 6 out of the 9 criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a mental health condition that causes people to have poor self-image, impulsive behavior, and difficulty regulating their emotions. Because BPD has similarities to other conditions (like bipolar disorder), it can be difficult to diagnose. However, based on the symptoms presented in the interview, I would consider using the Revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines which measures four major aspects of BPD: Affect, Cognition, Impulse Action Patterns, and Interpersonal Relationships (DIB-R; Zanarini, Gunderson, Frankenburg, & Chauncey, 1989).
According to A Comparison of Interview and Self-Report Methods for the Assessment of Borderline Personality Disorder Criteria, structured interview methods are the “gold standard” for diagnosis of BPD and have been proven to optimally identify BPD criteria (Hopwood et al, 2008). Self-reporting assessments have been developed and are currently used but patients with BPD exhibit a warped sense of who they are which presents a problem in answering the questions accurately. I would also seek a full medical evaluation just to rule out any biological issues especially since she has attempted suicide on more than one occasion.
APPLICATION OF PERSONALITY THEORY
Jodie is experiencing a disruption of self. Her abandonment issues and insecurity are centered around Freud’s oral stage of psychosexual development and Erikson’s trust vs. mistrust stage of psychosocial development. Both theories focus on meeting an infant’s basic needs. When these needs are not met, the child will develop a sense of mistrust and “cull a sense of fear about the inconsistent world, leading to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and an overall feeling of mistrust toward the world” (study.com, n.d.). By not completing this very important stage, Jodie is unable to trust those around her which affects her relationships and interactions.
