I’m studying for my Psychology class and need an explanation.

Case Conceptualisation

Personal Details: (name, age, marital status, education level, employment, children, housing.)

Relevant medical history: (list any current illnesses, chronic health problems, past medical issues).

Current medications: (list any medications taken).

Presenting Problem(s) or Current Difficulties:

Case conceptualisation/ Psychological Formulation:

1.Predisposing factors – Underlying cause

Why me?

What are the factors relating to genetics, psychological development, social and environment conditions (eg. poverty and trauma).

What factors make the person vulnerable to developing a psychological problem? (eg. schemata, core beliefs, early infant object relations, attachment styles)

What about family history, genetics, medical and psychiatric history, chronic social stressors?

1. Precipitating Factors – Triggering events/ stimuli ا

Why now?

Biological issues?

Psychological issues?

Social cultural issues?

1. Presenting difficulties – What is / are the main problems?

Biological?

Psychological?

Social-cultural?

1. Perpetuating factors – Why is it still happening? What is maintaining the problem(s)? What are the maintenance factors?

Biological – treatment not working, medication not working).

Psychological – reinforcements? vicious cycle of negative thinking? Defence mechanisms? Repression?

Social/ cultural factors?

1. Protective factors – Strengths

Biological – good health, physical abilities etc.

Psychological – resilience, adaptive thinking, intellectual abilities.

Social- cultural – family, friendships, community, faith/ religion