Background and Diagnosis: Susanna Kaysen is an 18-year-old white female who is a high school student. She is currently living with her mother and father in Massachusetts. She seeks treatment because she reports that she feels depressed majority of the time. She reports her mood has stayed low generally. Susanna has also tried to commit suicide and practiced self-harm. She reports that she has feels empty and that she has felt detached from her family and everyone else. Susanna also reports that she has never sought treatment and have never been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. She says she does not want to return to the sad place and fears that she will slip into a similar place. In terms of symptoms, Susanna reported that she feels extreme uncontrollable anger and that a fear of abandonment seems to play a role also. She does not feel enthusiastic about anything. In combination with her depressed mood, she reports that she cannot control her anger and has instability of behaviors. She reports that she has trouble concentrating with schoolwork and that her mind is not set to do anything around it. She has abandoned school and reports very low self-esteem. In addition to her depressed mood, she reports of feeling very emotionless at times, followed by extreme anger or fear and irritability. Most importantly, she has also attempted suicide …show more content…
She is always in fear of abandonment and is sensitive to negative criticism. Aside from her relationship with her family, Susanna has also been in a relationship with her English teacher, after which, she has attempted suicide. She explains that she has never had a close friend in school and has always felt alone. She reports of having very low self-esteem and incontrollable anger. She sometimes feels rebellious and does not take into consideration of her parents’ rules. Susanna reports exhaustion and emptiness, and wants relief from her conditions and