Running Head: ASSESSING CLIENTS 1 ASSESSING CLIENTS 5 Part 1: Comprehensive client assessment Demographic Information LS is 23 year old white male who lives with his parents. His parent moved to the united states from Russia to get a better live for their only son LS. LS had been depressed since the move and feels like he is unable to cope in the new environment . LS struggle with learning English and not doing well at school as a result. Presenting problem Depression and suicide History of present illness LS is stress out with school and has dropped out several times. His parent have found him on several occasions cutting self and trying to overdose on his pills. He says he is depressed 10/10. He was medically clear after overdosing on his medication 4 weeks ago and now presented for treatment and monitoring. Hopelessness suicidal ideations, and loneliness can contributes to depression, which can result in attempts of suicide Hamet & Tremblay (2005). Past Psychiatric History LS denies any past psychiatric History, but his father has been treated for depression before. Medical History No medical History, denies any pain. Substance Use Ls admits the use of marijuana but deines alcohol, or other drug use. Developmental History LS is an immigrant from Russia who is unable to cope in his new environment. Family Psychiatric history Father was diagnosed and treated for depression 12 years ego. His grand father also suffered from depression. Psychosocial History: An only child, no siblings, mostly alone, no close friends or relative apart from parents. History of abuse /trauma LS feels he was traumatized by coming to another country unable to understand the lagage and his parent barely making it. LS parent are uneducated and works as farmers. LS feel worried about his parent struggling to make a living. Review of Systems General: Denies chiles or malaise, no weakness or fatigue. Appears flat, A/O x 4, weight 120, Height 5’4 Skin, Hair, Nails- Intact HEENT: Denies head ache, dizziness, syncope. No tinnitus, no changes in vision. Cardiovascular: No pain on palpation, no heart murmurs on auscultation, pulses palpable. GI: bowel sound present on all four quadrants, no distention, contour symmetrical. GU: continent with regular urinary pattern Musculoskeletal : Normal skeletal structure, no deformities or abnormalities. Hematology : Denies Anemia, no bleeding or bruising . Edocrine: No issues, denies increased thirst or urination. Mental Status Exam LS presents calm and cooperative during this visit. He appears well groomed with poor hygiene, poor eye contact, flat affect. Speech is clear and presured though minimally engauging probably due to him thinking his English is not very good. Able to state reason for visit and and wants to get help. He denies any thought of self harm at this time, not hearing voices and no visual hallucination. LS is distracted but redirectable. He has poor appetite, parents encouraged to bring him food..

1. Running Head: ASSESSING CLIENTS
1
ASSESSING CLIENTS
5
Part 1: Comprehensive client assessment
Demographic Information
LS is 23 year old white male who lives with his parents. His
parent moved to the united states from Russia to get a better
live for their only son LS. LS had been depressed since the
move and feels like he is unable to cope in the new environment
. LS struggle with learning English and not doing well at school
as a result.
Presenting problem
Depression and suicide
History of present illness
LS is stress out with school and has dropped out several times.
His parent have found him on several occasions cutting self and
trying to overdose on his pills. He says he is depressed 10/10.
He was medically clear after overdosing on his medication 4
weeks ago and now presented for treatment and monitoring.
Hopelessness suicidal ideations, and loneliness can contributes
to depression, which can result in attempts of suicide Hamet &
Tremblay (2005).
Past Psychiatric History
LS denies any past psychiatric History, but his father has been
treated for depression before.
Medical History
No medical History, denies any pain.

2. Substance Use
Ls admits the use of marijuana but deines alcohol, or other drug
use.
Developmental History
LS is an immigrant from Russia who is unable to cope in his
new environment.
Family Psychiatric history
Father was diagnosed and treated for depression 12 years ego.
His grand father also suffered from depression.
Psychosocial History: An only child, no siblings, mostly alone,
no close friends or relative apart from parents.
History of abuse /trauma
LS feels he was traumatized by coming to another country
unable to understand the lagage and his parent barely making it.
LS parent are uneducated and works as farmers. LS feel worried
about his parent struggling to make a living.
Review of Systems
General: Denies chiles or malaise, no weakness or fatigue.
Appears flat, A/O x 4, weight 120, Height 5’4
Skin, Hair, Nails- Intact
HEENT: Denies head ache, dizziness, syncope. No tinnitus, no
changes in vision.
Cardiovascular: No pain on palpation, no heart murmurs on
auscultation, pulses palpable.
GI: bowel sound present on all four quadrants, no distention,
contour symmetrical.
GU: continent with regular urinary pattern
Musculoskeletal : Normal skeletal structure, no deformities or

3. abnormalities.
Hematology : Denies Anemia, no bleeding or bruising .
Edocrine: No issues, denies increased thirst or urination.
Mental Status Exam
LS presents calm and cooperative during this visit. He appears
well groomed with poor hygiene, poor eye contact, flat affect.
Speech is clear and presured though minimally engauging
probably due to him thinking his English is not very good. Able
to state reason for visit and and wants to get help. He denies
any thought of self harm at this time, not hearing voices and no
visual hallucination. LS is distracted but redirectable. He has
poor appetite, parents encouraged to bring him food. Lacks
motivation to participate in group activities. Endorses rate of
depression as 10/10, suicide risk as very low.
Differential Dignoses
Major depressive disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder
Depression with psychotic features.
Case formulation
Family psychiatric history reveals that genetic factors increase
suicidal ideation. It is well known that client LS had a family
who was involved with suicidal history Block (2000). Also,
family problems can cause depressions due to the financial
difficulties, which bring in a lot of stress leading to suicidal
ideation.
According to Nezu, McClure & Zwick (2002), mental
disturbances can led to depression. LS was unable to
communicate with other individuals around him; thus, he could
not share the problems he was undergoing, leading to his
suicidal attempts.

4. Treatment Plan
LS will verbalize feelings to staff when feeling overwhelmed by
discharge ~ to help LS develop rapore and coping skills ~ LS
will be monitored 1:1 by staff for safety.
LS will attend daily groups till discharge ~ to halp LS develop
social skills ~ staff will encourage LS to attend group activities
every day.
LS will take medications as ordered by discharge ~ to improve
mood and reduce thoughts of self harm ~ staff will administer
medications to LS as needed.
Part 2: family genogram.
Reference.
Block, S. D. (2000). Assessing and managing depression in the
terminally ill patient. Annals of internal medicine, 132(3), 209-
218.
Fawcett, J., Clark, D. C., & Busch, K. A. (1993). Assessing and
treating the patient at risk for suicide. Psychiatric
Annals, 23(5), 244-255.
Hamet, P., & Tremblay, J. (2005). Genetics and genomics of
depression. Metabolism, 54(5), 10-15.
Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., McClure, K. S., & Zwick, M. L.
(2002). Assessment of depression. Handbook of depression, 2.
Manuela Marin
Professor Walter
The Confident Writer
28 March 2020
Marin6
Legalization of Marijuana

5. Legalization of marijuana has become an increasingly
controversial topic of conversation over the last couple of years.
So much so, in fact, that decriminalization and/or legalization
have been hot topics in presidential debates and other lower
political seats. Some states allow cannabis usage for medicinal
purposes, like New Jersey, while other states, like California
and Colorado, have legalized recreational usage. Age, race, and
religion are all part of the divide on this topic, making it one of
the most debated issues in today’s social and political climate. I
believe that marijuana usage should be legalized not only for
medicinal usage, but also recreationally.
A big part of the controversy surrounding marijuana usage
is the negative stigma surrounding it. Simply the word “drug”
itself has a negative connotation, even when used in referencing
various over-the-counter medicines. The word “drug” means a
medicine or other substance, which has a physiological effect
when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. In my
opinion, many issues today could be solved with education.
Researching and forming your own opinions on a topic is vital
if you are to truly understand it. In this age of technology ready
at your fingertips, it is easy to be misinformed if you do not
properly vet the information presented.
Cannabis is a plant, and from that plant there are over 540
chemical substances. Cannabinoids are a group of substances
that are found within the cannabis plant. The main cannabinoids
are Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, or THC and CBD,
respectively (Marijuana and Cannabinoids). Marijuana refers to
the parts of cannabis that contain THC, which has the
psychoactive element. The main difference between THC and
CBD is that CBD does not have this psychoactive side effect;
however, it still has chemical properties that make your body
feel more relaxed. CBD also has the highest anti-inflammatory
and neuroprotective properties found within nature (Marijuana
and Cannabinoids).

6. Portrayal in entertainment is one of the ways in which we
get our information, or misinformation. Historically, marijuana
users have been portrayed as lazy, unfocused, and generally
follow the “stoner” stereotype. In the movie Clueless, we have
Travis, a seemingly below-average student who only cares about
skateboarding with his friends. In That 70’s Show, we have a
group of teenagers rebelling against their parents and smoking
in the basement. What I have learned in my twenty-two years of
life is that a lot more people are marijuana users than I would
have thought. CEOs, professors, doctors, and so many more
professionals are users of marijuana, and they all live successful
lives, lives that would not be possible if they were like the lazy,
unintelligent stoners that media portrays.
Some news outlets will show marijuana users as lazy
stoners or dangerous criminals. Often times, the criminals that
they accuse of being marijuana users are people of color. More
racial minorities are depicted as criminals than nonracial
minorities. This is detrimental because this results in more
people of color ending up incarcerated. People in the United
States use and sell marijuana at roughly the same rate regardless
of their race, yet a Black person is almost four times more
likely than a white person to be arrested for marijuana
possession nationwide (Resing). The legal consequences of
being caught with marijuana depend on the amount with which
you are caught. Large enough quantities can signal to an officer
that you were holding it for sale, and this can lead to a felony
charge. If arrested by a federal agent, this usually means you
were a target for an investigation of drug trafficking or large-
scale operation. Felony charges occur when there is a large
quantity, growing or cultivation, and manufacturing or sale of
paraphernalia. Paraphernalia can include pipes, bongs, or roach
clips. When arrested by a state officer, charges will vary from
state to state. In the state of New Jersey, you are allowed to use
marijuana for medicinal purposes; however, it is illegal to drive

7. under an influence. If caught with less than fifty grams of
marijuana, you will face up to a $1,000 fine and six months in
jail, If caught with more than fifty grams, you can face up to a
$25,000 fine and eighteen months in jail (NORML - Working to
Reform Marijuana Laws). Selling marijuana carries a penalty
between three and twenty years in jail and fines between
$25,000 and $300,000(NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana
Laws). Some other punishments for getting caught with
marijuana are drug awareness classes, mandatory drug tests,
probation, electronic monitoring, and suspension of driver’s
license. A lot of the stigma surrounding marijuana usage is
because people do not know about its incredible ability, and
instead, only know of negative stereotypes
A reason to support the usage of cannabis would be for its
medicinal purposes. THC found within cannabis is known for
making its users lethargic or hungry. If you were healthy, you
probably would not give these symptoms a second thought.
However, for others, this could be life saving. Around thirty
percent of adults in the United States suffer from insomnia.
With insomnia come sleepless nights and difficult mornings.
Some people may even be able to get to sleep, but have an issue
staying asleep. In this case, lethargy would be a welcome side
effect. Appetite loss is a very serious symptom that
accompanies many different kinds of illnesses, like cancer.
Personally, my grandmother suffers from lung cancer and is
well below a healthy weight for her age and height. She finds it
difficult to eat most days, as this is a side effect of her illness,
and I believe something like marijuana would be an effective
appetite stimulant for her. The health benefits do not stop there;
it is also been seen to improve lung capacity and help lose
weight by means of regulating insulin and managing caloric
intake.
Cannabis can be used to treat several mental illnesses as
well. It can be used to treat those who suffer from anxiety;
however, it should be under the careful watch of a physician

8. because studies show that marijuana usage could increase
paranoid thoughts. Marijuana usage has also shown results for
individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Marijuana helps promote neuroplasticity, which happens when
neurons form a connection. Marijuana has also been known to
be a mood stabilizer, which helps those dealing with depression
and anxiety. It can be used as a form of treatment for ADD, or
Attention Deficit Disorder; this is seen as a safer alternative to
Adderall or Ritalin. Cannabis is also commonly used as a pain
medication. Opioids are often the drug of choice for pain
medication, but that is only because they are the primary,
legally allowed treatment. However, the United States is
currently in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Marijuana can be
just as effective, and is shown to be non-addictive, unlike
opioids.
There are more severe disorders that marijuana usage can
help with. Medical marijuana has been known to aid those who
suffer from epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked
by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of
consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal
electrical activity in the brain
One of the most famous cases is of a young girl named
Charlotte Figgy. “At any give time, Charlotte will be on seven
daily pharmaceutical seizure medications; none of which control
her seizure: (Stanley). Within the first administration, Charlotte
went from having a seizure every twenty to twenty-five minutes,
about 400 a week, down to zero to one per week (Stanley). Her
physicians have also seen improvement in her overall cognitive
function. Medicinal marijuana has been known to help slow the
progression of Parkinson’s disease, ALS, MLS, and diabetes.
Marijuana usage has also shown results for individuals dealing
with migraines, arthritis, and heart disease. Marijuana can be a
life-changing drug, but because of its minor mind-altering
capabilities, it is seen as dastardly and criminal.

9. One of the most important arguments in favor of legalizing
marijuana, in my opinion, is the benefit it would have to the
economy. “By mapping out state-by-state sales to $24.5 billion
in 2025 and projecting that cannabis industry employment could
top 255,000 jobs within three years, New Frontier hopes to
show that cannabis is not “just a flash in the pan,” said John
Kagia, the firm’s executive vice president of industry analytics”
(Wallace). Creating jobs is important to boosting the economy
because once people are employed; they are able to contribute
to the economy by buying more. Regulating marijuana usage
would be a big boost to the economy. The taxes that marijuana
would generate can be put back into the economy.
Many states are in the process of deciding whether or not
to legalize marijuana. Some that have done so are Alaska,
Colorado, Washington D.C., and others. Other states are
considering decriminalization, which means that instead of a
misdemeanor or felony charge, the individual is charged with an
infraction or citation. This usually just ends in a small fine and
no criminal record. More voters want marijuana usage legalized.
This is so that more people have the opportunity to use it as
medication and have the chance to use it without legal
repercussions. It is important to replace the fear with
acceptance, understanding, and education. Scientists are still
trying to figure out the effects marijuana can have on diseases.
Works Cited
“Marijuana and Cannabinoids.” National Center for
Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of

10. Health and Human Services, 25 Oct. 2018,
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/marijuana.
“NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws.” The National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws,
norml.org/laws/item/new-jersey-penalties-2.
Oberg, Erica, and Nd. “What Is Medical Marijuana? CBD, THC
& Cannabis
Prescriptions.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 14 Nov. 2019,
https://www.medicinenet.com/medical_marijuana_medical_cann
abis/article.htm.
Resing, Charlotte. “Marijuana Legalization Is a Racial Justice
Issue.” American Civil Liberties Union, American Civil
Liberties Union, 22 Apr. 2019, www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-
law-reform/drug-law-reform/marijuana-legalization-racial-
justice-issue.
Stanley, Josh. “The Surprising Story of Medical Marijuana and
Pediatric Epilepsy.” YouTube, YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciQ4ErmhO7g.
Wallace, Alicia. “Report: America's Marijuana Industry Headed
for $24 Billion by 2025.” The Cannabist, The Cannabist, 21
Mar. 2018, www.thecannabist.co/2017/02/22/report-united-
states-marijuana-sales-projections-2025/74059/.