Jenny does not have most of the DSM-V criteria for a SUD: she has no delusions and hallucinations. However, analyzing the emotions and behavior of the patient, it is possible to identify her psychotic disorder with predominantly depressive psychotic symptoms. From a conversation with her, it is possible to identify the predominance of depressive disorders in the clinical picture (Lima et al., 2021). Jenny has emotions such as a persistent decrease in mood, self-esteem, mental activity, anhedonia. Moreover, most likely, this diagnosis is the reason for her behavior towards relatives (her mother and children), unwillingness to see them or call them. There are very likely problematic genes in Jenny’s genome, since both her mother and her biological father used substances. The neurobiology of addiction of a woman is caused by these factors. She had a predisposition to become an addict relatively early, and the experience of severe addiction is also caused by the factor of heredity.
Jenny has a huge number of risk factors for drug use: people usually resort to them in search of relaxing and feeling safer. Given the woman’s experience and the constant emotions of anxiety that she experienced in her own home due to the molestation of her mother’s husband, her risk of trying drugs was high. Due to Jenny’s family circumstances, it is not possible to talk about a large number of protective factors. Among them, one can distinguish a great love for his sister: “I love her to death” (Soft White Underbelly, 2021). In addition, Jenny had a good academic record at school: “I had straight A’s” (Soft White Underbelly, 2021). Most likely, this is what allowed her to learn certain moral norms. Thus, she was able to avoid prostitution, earning a living by panhandling, although most women addicts sell their bodies.
References
Lima, T. A., Peres, M. F., & Silberstein, S. D. (2021). Applicability of DSM-V substance use disorder (SUD) criteria in medication overuse headache (MOH). Headache Medicine, 12(3), 240-246.
Soft White Underbelly. (2021). Fentanyl addict interview: Jenny [Video file].