Case Study 2
Prominent Presenting Issues
Leon seems to have developed a sense of guilt that has overwhelmed him his entire life. His family history has placed fear and anxiety into his decisions. Though Leon knows God, he has not fully given himself to the truth of Jesus’s love for him. He holds on to the degree of love he received during his childhood and allows this lack to hinder the amount of love and devotion he can give his family. Leon’s most prominent issue is his lack of forgiveness which causes him to worry often. The mental restraints of worry have caused Leon to develop physical tribulations such as insomnia and constipation. This also causes him to be angry. In many cases, the symptoms of depression hide anger that has not been expressed sometimes isn’t recognized, and may be directed inward against oneself (Collins, 2007).
Leon experienced physical and mental abuses brought on by his mother, and her extreme anger and violence caused Leon to flee. This began a pattern of being alive but not living. After reviewing his symptoms, I feel Leon should be diagnosed with depression. We can conclude that Leon’s depression stems from his parent’s problems, but this may not be the case. According to research, there can be a variety of causes that often work together, so one of the counselor’s first tasks is to uncover, understand, and eventually help counselees deal with these causes (Petit & Joiner, 2005).
Questions for clarity
Questions to probe would be “What is your motivation for not forgiving your family? In the past several weeks, how often have you felt down, depressed, or hopeless? Do you blame yourself for the dysfunction and addictions that have become prevalent in your own life?”
Leon recognizes his issues and can recall many traumatic incidents leading up to leaving his home and becoming the main breadwinner for his younger siblings. He admits lack of control and ease of anger towards his children. I feel Leon has not taken on a spirit of forgiveness but of condemnation for himself and his family. His depression keeps him from seeing the big picture and ultimately from forgiving those who hurt his ideology. We must forgive abundantly!
While speaking with Peter, Jesus reminds us to forgive plentifully even beyond what man may see as extreme. “At that point, Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22, MSG). Leon’s problem is severe and the severity has overwhelmed his day-to-day activities. Leon must forgive the ones that have hurt him, understanding that forgiveness is more about him and less about the people who raised the pain. What were the best things about how you were parented when you were a child? What were the worst things about how you were parented? When do you feel most guilty as a parent? When do you feel proud as a parent? What are the things that make you angriest/most frustrated in dealing with family? What makes you the most relaxed?
Psychospiritual Factors
According to Aaron Beck (1987) people experiencing depression show negative thinking in three areas. First, the world is viewed negatively. Second, they view themselves negatively. Third, some view the future negatively. Leon may blame himself for his parents’ divorce or he may blame a higher power for the separation. Either way, Leon has unconsciously housed the presence of dysfunction and addiction.
If Leon does not combat these imps, he runs the risk of casting these demons onto the next generation. Leon does not feel connected to his family and the disconnection brings emotional isolation. Jesus should be our example of counseling. He always based his words and actions on the situation at hand. The grace of Christ operates through the Counselor and grants them active faith to assist in helping with the needs of God’s anointed.
Jesus encouraged people to take responsibility for their health. For instance, in John 5:6, Jesus responds to the man at the pool of Bethesda with a question “Do you want to be made well?” This is how we should approach our counselees with conviction and truth. We understand the problem, now the question is, Leon, do you want to be better? If you do, then conviction to Jesus is the best route.
