PSYC 110 Week 7 Psychological Disorders Create a Case Example

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Psychological Disorders: Create a Case!

Specific Phobia – Claustrophobia

John, a 25-year-old male, resides on the fifth floor of a high-rise apartment building. Many of his friends also live in the same building, mostly on floors above him. Despite living in the building for two years, John has never visited his friends’ apartments. His friends often joke about his avoidance of the elevator, but John casually dismisses their comments by stating that he enjoys the exercise from using the stairs. However, his friends are becoming frustrated and even offended that John never reciprocates their efforts by coming over. They find it inconvenient to always gather at his place, causing tension in their relationships.

Realizing the strain this is putting on his friendships, John decides to open up about his struggles. During a lunch outing with his friends, he explains the real reason for his behavior. John shares a childhood experience that left a lasting impact on him. He recalls an incident at a shopping mall where the elevator malfunctioned while he and his mother were inside. His mother’s panic during the event heightened his own anxiety, causing both to hyperventilate and feel overwhelmed in the enclosed space. Since that day, John has avoided elevators and other confined spaces whenever possible, as they trigger intense feelings of anxiety and fear.

John admits that although his friends’ apartments are only a short elevator ride away, the thought of using the elevator is distressing for him. He explains that climbing up and down ten flights of stairs frequently is physically exhausting, but the idea of stepping into an elevator feels like enduring prolonged torment. He emphasizes that while elevators may seem like a normal and mundane part of life to his friends, for him, they are a source of significant psychological distress.

Table: Overview of John’s Case

Aspect	Details	Impact
Background	John, 25 years old, lives on the fifth floor of a high-rise apartment and has friends residing on higher floors.	Friends feel frustrated as John avoids visiting them, leading to strained relationships.
Cause of Phobia	Childhood experience of being stuck in an elevator with his mother, leading to feelings of panic and fear in enclosed spaces.	John avoids elevators and enclosed spaces, causing lifestyle limitations.
Current Challenges	Fear of elevators prevents him from visiting friends’ apartments located on higher floors; he avoids explaining his phobia to others initially.	Struggles to maintain friendships due to misunderstanding and limited ability to engage socially outside his comfort zone.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.