PSYC FPX 3130 Case Study Assessment: Mental Health Analysis for Derek

PSYC FPX 3130 Case Study Assessment: Mental Health Analysis for Derek

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Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX3130 Criminal Psychology and Behavior

Prof. Name

Date

Case Study Assessment Form

Biographical Data

Category	Details
Name	Derek
Age	22
Gender	Male
Race or Ethnicity (if known)	African American
Marital Status (if known)	Unmarried
Other Important Details	Accused of second-degree murder; has been intermittently admitted to mental health facilities since age 13; exhibits emotional instability.

Overview:
Derek is a 22-year-old African American male currently facing charges of second-degree murder. His background reveals a long-standing struggle with emotional and behavioral instability, beginning in early adolescence. He has spent significant time in psychiatric institutions since the age of 13, reflecting chronic mental health challenges that have shaped his social and emotional development. His history suggests underlying psychological disturbances consistent with major mood disorder symptoms.

DSM-5-TR Observed Symptoms

The following observations are based on the DSM-5-TR symptom criteria for depressive, manic, anxiety, and psychotic features.

Depressive Symptoms

Symptom	Observed	Not Observed
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
Loss of interest or pleasure nearly every day
Significant weight loss/gain or appetite changes
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness
Suicidal ideation or attempts

Manic Symptoms

Symptom	Observed	Not Observed
Elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
Increased talkativeness
Flight of ideas or racing thoughts
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity or agitation
Risky involvement in pleasurable activities

Anxiety Symptoms

Symptom	Observed	Not Observed
Excessive worry
Difficulty controlling worry
Restlessness or feeling on edge
Easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
Sleep disturbance

Psychotic Symptoms

Symptom	Observed	Not Observed
Delusions lasting one month or more
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviors

Diagnosis

Name of Diagnosis:

Bipolar I Disorder

Rationale for Diagnosis

Bipolar I Disorder (BD-I) is a complex mood disorder distinguished by alternating manic and depressive episodes, often accompanied by psychotic features such as hallucinations or delusional thinking (Javier et al., 2025). Individuals with BD-I typically experience extreme mood shifts that can impair judgment, cognition, and daily functioning. The onset commonly occurs between late adolescence and early adulthood, aligning with Derek’s current age (Oliva et al., 2025).

Derek’s symptom pattern, including racing thoughts, hyperactivity, irritability, impulsivity, and psychotic behaviors, aligns with BD-I diagnostic criteria. His episodes of emotional instability, aggression, and risky behaviors—such as reckless sexual encounters and violent outbursts—further support this classification. Additionally, recurrent hospitalization and persistent emotional dysregulation reflect a chronic course consistent with bipolar pathology.

Possible Biological Origins

The biological underpinnings of Bipolar I Disorder often involve genetic predispositions, neurochemical imbalances, and disruptions in circadian rhythms (First, 2024). Derek’s family history and early onset suggest a potential hereditary vulnerability. Dysregulation of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and serotonin, may have contributed to his mood instability and impulsivity. Furthermore, insufficient sleep and disrupted biological rhythms likely exacerbated his manic and depressive cycles.

Environmental stressors such as grief, loss of a romantic relationship, and interpersonal conflict may have activated his genetic susceptibility. These events can amplify neurochemical imbalances, triggering emotional instability and increasing the risk of manic or depressive episodes.

Learning and Situational Factors

From a behavioral and situational perspective, Derek’s instability may have been reinforced by his environment. Early exposure to substance use, specifically marijuana and alcohol, likely intensified his impulsive tendencies and impaired emotional regulation (First, 2024). At 13, Derek reported engaging in high-risk behaviors, suggesting that learned maladaptive coping mechanisms may have replaced healthier emotional regulation strategies.

Situational triggers, including stress, perceived rejection, or conflict, may provoke manic or depressive episodes. Additionally, the disinhibiting effects of substance use can exacerbate reckless decision-making and violent behaviors, increasing vulnerability to legal consequences and psychiatric crises.

Developmental Risks and Protective Factors

Derek’s early behavioral disturbances—such as aggression, impulsivity, and difficulty concentrating—were evident by age five. By age nine, he exhibited mood cycling, marked by alternating irritability and calmness. Such early onset often indicates a neurodevelopmental predisposition to emotional dysregulation (Bartol & Bartol, 2020).

While no direct causal link exists between bipolar disorder and criminal behavior, manic states characterized by euphoria or agitation can precipitate reckless or violent actions. The combined effects of psychotropic substances such as diazepam and hallucinogens further impaired Derek’s judgment, leading to suicidal thoughts and erratic actions.
Protective factors for Derek may include consistent psychiatric care, medication adherence, structured support systems, and therapy focused on impulse control and emotional regulation.

Proposed Assessment

Assessment Name	Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Assessment of Reliability	May produce false positives if not supported by clinical evaluation.
Assessment of Validity	The questionnaire effectively measures symptoms related to mania and hypomania.
Recommended Population	Males and females aged 16 years or older.

Description of the Assessment

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a widely used screening tool for identifying symptoms associated with bipolar spectrum disorders. It consists of 13 items assessing the presence, duration, and impact of manic or hypomanic symptoms (Mundy et al., 2023). The MDQ evaluates mood elevation, irritability, hyperactivity, reduced sleep, and impulsive decision-making. It has been validated across multiple populations and translated into various languages, demonstrating strong cross-cultural reliability.

Scientific Evidence Supporting the Assessment

The MDQ has strong psychometric support for detecting manic and hypomanic features consistent with Bipolar I Disorder. It effectively identifies symptoms such as insomnia, racing thoughts, distractibility, and increased goal-directed behavior—symptoms that align with Derek’s observed behaviors (Mundy et al., 2023).
Given Derek’s demographic characteristics and clinical presentation, the MDQ is a suitable assessment tool for screening his manic episodes. His history of impulsivity, aggression, and psychosis provides a strong rationale for using this standardized measure to support a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

References

Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M. (2020). Criminal behavior: A psychological approach. Pearson Education.

First, M. B. (2024). DSM-5-TR Handbook of Differential Diagnosis. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

Javier, A., Jaworska, N., Fiedorowicz, J., Magnotta, V., Richards, J. G., Barsotti, E. J., & Wemmie, J. A. (2025). Characteristics of people with bipolar disorder I with and without auditory verbal hallucinations. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-025-00369-8

PSYC FPX 3130 Case Study Assessment: Mental Health Analysis for Derek

Mundy, J., Hübel, C., Adey, B. N., Davies, H. L., Davies, M. R., Coleman, J. R., Hotopf, M., Kalsi, G., Lee, S. H., McIntosh, A. M., Rogers, H. C., Eley, T. C., Murray, R. M., Vassos, E., & Breen, G. (2023). Genetic examination of the mood disorder questionnaire and its relationship with bipolar disorder. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics, 192(7–8), 147–160. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.b.32938

Oliva, V., Fico, G., De Prisco, M., Gonda, X., Rosa, A. R., & Vieta, E. (2025). Bipolar disorders: An update on critical aspects. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 48, 101135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101135

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