Diagnostic Case Studies

Demonstrate your competency with our interactive educational diagnostic case studies, which serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance and relationships that clinical practitioner uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession. The content at Genius Academy has been thoroughly reviewed and vetted by top professionals in the field. Easily gain up to 8.5 hours AMA PRA Category 1 hour of your license requirements through our unique narrative pedagogy approach.

  • Dennis has presented for therapy after going to the hospital for what he believed to be a heart attack but was actually caused by severe emotional distress. He explains that he once considered himself to be a rather laid-back, unexcitable type, but over time, he developed a sense of fear, uncertainty, and doubt about his life and his ability to cope with factors beyond his control. Viewers are invited directly into the therapy session and asked to observe Dennis' responses and mannerisms. Through these observations, clues about his condition can be revealed and a potential diagnosis can be discovered.  
  • During her therapy session, Sylvia reports she is scared that the socially unacceptable habits she displays are all that others see or think about when they are around her. She explains that she has lost control over her compulsive need to pull hairs out of her head. She is aware of what others think about this behavior and she desperately wants to stop, but she is helpless to do so. As she explains the situation and the development of her condition, viewers observe her actions and behaviors they will use to make a potential diagnosis.  
  • Rhonda's husband Cliff is the center of her universe. He always knows what to do and how to do it, and without him, Rhonda feels she would be completely lost. She explains that even though he has a drinking problem, she believes him when he says he has it under control. She needs to believe him, and even if she didn't, she wouldn't dare question him or risk offending him. She couldn't even consider a life without him. Her fear of what would happen if he ever left her and abandoned their child controls much of what she does and how she acts. In this video, the viewer observes Rhonda's session, as she opens up about her feelings. Her words and behaviors are clues to her condition, as the learner must decipher what is real and what is Rhonda's perception of reality.  
  • Neal has arrived for therapy looking for help dealing with his obsessive focus on germs and cleanliness. He notes that his behaviors have made his life more difficult and have isolated him from others, but he strongly believes he has to be vigilant against the unseen dangers surrounding him. As he describes his thoughts and feelings to the therapist, viewers are able to observe him and the way he presents himself. Through those observations, conclusions about his potential diagnosis can be formed.  
  • Katrina has presented for therapy to discuss her concerns over mood swings she has been experiencing for a few years. She explains that the frequency of the swings has increased and it has been negatively impacting her personal and professional life. As she reports on her condition, the viewer observes her verbal and non-verbal symptoms, which provide valuable insight into what diagnosis they should make.  
  • Cliff Bennett looks at his life as a series of compromises and failures that have led him to an unstable, uncertain place in the world. A disappointment in the eyes of his overbearing father, he settled for a career that he never wanted. A problematic marriage and divorce have led to estrangement from a daughter that he rarely sees and a lot of regrets. He has been drinking progressively more over time to hide from his problems and his feelings, but he is confident it is not a problem. As the viewer witnesses Cliff's testimonial first-hand, they have the opportunity to observe his mannerisms, behaviors, and approach to telling his story. The details of the session reveal clues that indicate a potential diagnosis.  
  • Phillip is a husband and father struggling with some significant issues in his life, including a chronically ill wife, and a young son that he worries is showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder. These latest revelations have put him over the edge and he's come in for help. Listen to his story, note what you think are his symptoms, and determine your diagnosis.  
  • Bill has appeared for therapy with complaints of an increasingly fluctuating mood. He explains that, at times, he feels very hyper, but at other times, he is severely depressed. He notes that he wasn't always like this, and the onset of the condition has him deeply concerned about his future. Viewers are given an opportunity to observe Bill's mannerisms and actions in the session and are encouraged to utilize the clues available in the video to determine a potential diagnosis.  
  • Nia presents for therapy after her steadily declining mental condition manifested in erratic, dangerous behavior that concluded with her being jailed. She explained that she was once a confident, happy woman, but she is now at the mercy of a disorder that causes her mood to fluctuate greatly. She noted that, at times, she feels so energized and strong that she can accomplish anything, which may have been what led her to drop everything and embark on an ill-planned cross-country road trip. As viewers listen to her recall the details of the incident and explain her condition, they observe clues about her symptoms and utilize the information to figure out an appropriate diagnosis for her condition.  
  • When Terry's mom was first trying to teach him to speak, she immediately noticed he was struggling. Concerned about the reaction Terry's alcoholic father, Cliff, might have, she kept the issue to herself. When Cliff eventually recognized the problem, he became upset and insisted Terry work on fixing his problem, which made things even more difficult for him. He continues to struggle with his speech and is subject to ridicule by classmates at school. As his struggles and story are told to his counselor, viewers of the video are provided with an exclusive look inside the session. There, they hear the details of his condition and they witness first-hand the speech and behavioral issues that are controlling his life.  
  • Lucy has a consistent need to be recognized as the center of attention in any social situation she is in, no matter where she is or who she is with. She flaunts how she looks and believes that all men have a great desire for her. Her bubble is about to burst, though, as a former lover has begun posting unflattering photos of her with cruel, hurtful messages on social media. The impact of these actions on her daily life and her sense of self is subtly on display for the viewer as they watch the video. Witnessing Lucy in her truest form, learners observe her mannerisms, behaviors, and thought patterns, as they seek understanding of her condition and her outlook on the world.  
  • Kristen starts off by sharing how perfect she thought her life was. But then she shares that recently been diagnosed with Huntington's Disease; her husband has been so anxious lately, and she finally she's coming to terms with her son's autism. She describes her life like this, "I loved it. Everything. Until I just...didn?t like anything at all... things are just kind of...awful right now. As you watch the video and listen to Kristen describe her life, your task is to determine your diagnosis based on her symptoms.  
  • Katie is a confident, happy little girl, but she is having some behavioral problems and is unable to focus and make friends. Her father is concerned that she has a disability or disorder that could keep her from reaching her potential and could lead to bigger problems down the line. Learners observe the two of them providing details about Katie's condition, and her actions and behaviors are on display live in the session.  
  • Tracy has presented for therapy due to an unhealthy relationship with food and her body. She reports that when she looks at herself, she sees a grossly unfit, overweight person, despite being told that she is actually slim. She states that she often gorges on food, which leads to her over-exercising in dangerous ways to compensate for the food intake. Viewers of this video are taken into the therapy session and are exposed to Tracy's commentary and thoughts on her condition. In her behavior and her words, they can find clues that prepare them to make a diagnosis.  
  • Marty has sought therapy to deal with a tremendous fear that has developed regarding the health and well-being of his parents. He explains that he began hyper-focusing on this after he left home for the first time to attend college. As he reports to the therapist how the condition has progressed and the severity of the symptoms he experiences, viewers can put together clues to establish a diagnosis.  
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