Running head: JOURNAL REFLECTION

Journal Reflection

Stephanie Badio

Southern New Hampshire University

Assessing client symptom and making a diagnosis is an important task in the counseling field. When describing the diagnostic for the client, I felt like I was being the barrier of bad news. For example, I was not sure how the client was going to take the news because it is a very difficult thing to accept. Most importantly, introducing the client diagnosis I was ready to inform her of the impacts and going into details to the results. I think its important to not only refrain rom jargon and big words but also to communicate with the client clearly of their diagnosis. When explaining to my client about her diagnosis I felt like I had to put myself in her shoes and be gentle, attentive, and sow empathy. Furthermore, I wanted to make sure that I was sensitive to the client needs and situation.

When a client takes the steps to seek professional help as counselors, we must be mindful of that and take consideration of the client history. Counselors take special care to inform the client of them diagnose to provide the necessary resource and care for the individual as it fits their needs. Although specifying a diagnose can be challenging for both client and the counselor, my client was receptive, communicated well and was appropriate during the session.

There are several ways that depressive mood disorder can impact a client’s life. It can negatively impact the client solely because they are being introduced with bad news. Being diagnosed with depressive mood disorder can alter a client life by affecting the client daily activity such as getting out of bed, impulsiveness, and avoiding work. According to the DSM-5 “depressive moods includes number of mood disorders persistent, bipolar, 1 and 2” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Changes will affect a client diagnosing for the first time compared to a client with multiple diagnosis. However, as counselors we must take consideration of the population when clarifying a diagnose. Diagnosing an individual with mental health issues can lead to less effective treatment being delivered. It can also cause them to label themselves as the disorder negatively. For example, they may not see past the disorder and refrain from taking the necessary step to undergo professional help that they might need. It is common for the client to release a range of emotion after being diagnosed as counselors we should show support. After clarifying a diagnosis to a client, it can leave them distraught, hopeless, confused, emotional, anxious, heartbroken, suicidal, and angry. After being diagnosed the client may feel alone, and uncertain on how to communicate this news to their family. Another way it can negatively impact them is abusing their prescribed medication. According to the DSM-5 “diagnosis criteria for a mood disorder, experience sadness, depressed mood, and the blues” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).