Assignment: Diagnosis of Personality

Disorders
Clients do not enter treatment due to the symptoms of a personality disorder—since the
symptoms are ego syntonic. That is, the symptoms are comfortable to them, and thus they are
often not able to identify that those symptoms are creating difficulties.
Clients with personality disorders enter treatment for many other reasons, such as depression,
substance use, work demands, or family demands. When diagnosing personality disorders, it is
important to always list the diagnosis that brought the client in first, followed by the personality
disorder, then Z codes.
Keep these important characteristics in mind as you continue your practice this week.
Note: Remember that symptoms can occur in many disorders. As a result, all disorders in
the DSM-5-TR covered up until this point may factor into your diagnosis (for example, as a
possible additional disorder you diagnose).
To Prepare
 Review the case study for this week.
 Start by familiarizing yourself with the disorders from the DSM-5-TR found in the
Learning Resources this Week.
o Look within the noted sections for symptoms, behaviors, or other features the
client presents within the case study.
 If some of the symptoms in the case study cause you to suspect
an additional disorder, then research any of the previous disorders covered so far in
the course. 
o This mirrors real social work practice where you follow the symptoms. 
 Review the correct format for how to write the diagnosis noted below. Be sure to use this
format.
o Remember: When using Z codes, stay focused on the psychosocial and
environmental impact on the client within the last 12 months.
By Day 7
Submit your diagnosis for the client in the case. Follow the guidelines below.
 The diagnosis should appear on one line in the following order.
Note: Do not include the plus sign in your diagnosis. Instead, write the indicated items
next to each other.
Code + Name + Specifier (appears on its own first line)
Z code (appears on its own line next with its name written next to the code)
Then, in 1–2 pages, respond to the following:
 Explain how you support the diagnosis by specifically identifying the criteria from the
case study.
o Describe in detail how the client’s symptoms match up with the specific
diagnostic criteria for the disorder (or all the disorders) that you finally selected
for the client. You do not need to repeat the diagnostic code in the explanation.
 Identify the differential diagnosis you considered.
 Explain why you excluded this diagnosis/diagnoses. 
 Explain the specific factors of culture that are or may be relevant to the case and the
diagnosis, which may include the cultural concepts of distress.
 Explain why you chose the Z codes you have for this client.
o Remember: When using Z codes, stay focused on the psychosocial and
environmental impact on the client within the last 12 months.