Client Is a Never Married 27-Year-Old African-American Essay

client is a never married 27-year-old African-American lady who has completed 12 years of formal education. She is currently employed as a retail salesperson in the clothing section at a local department store. Her parents died in an automobile crash six weeks ago and she was very close to them. She stated that she misses her parents very much.

The client reports that her development as a child was normal and that she met all of her developmental milestones at appropriate ages. She has one younger brother whom she sees occasionally. She was an "average" student in school graduating from high school with a C. average. After high school she took several jobs working in the retail industry. She has worked at her current position for the last three years and states that she enjoys her current job.

The client reported a healthy relationship with her parents, teachers, and peers throughout school and currently. Recently, she finds that she does not feel like going out with her friends on weekend s, something she usually does every weekend. She reports having a large number of friends at work and even is still friends with some of her high school friends, many of whom have gotten married and now have children.

The client lives alone in an apartment.She reports working five to six days a week, being active outside of work by spending time with friends, taking several trips a year, and hiking.

The client's medical history significant for type I diabetes diagnosed when she was in high school and bipolar disorder diagnosed when she was 25 years old. She reports that she began to experience periods of the week to 10 days were she could not sleep, would go out and spend money and party, and these periods would be followed by months of feeling really down and depressed. She was referred to a psychiatrist who prescribed Lamictal which has controlled her mood swings. The client does not smoke, drink alcohol occasionally, and has never used illicit drugs.

Presenting problem: Since her parents that she find herself feeling anxious, sad, and unable to "get it together again." The client stated that she was once an avid hiker, but reports since her parents death she has not done much hiking. After her parents funeral she finds herself feeling quite anxious and sometimes depressed. She has been having periods of "nervousness" that have interfered with her ability to sleep, adhere to her diet, and function at work. As a result she has taken off several days, something that she normally does not do......