An 18-year-old client who joined the military shortly after graduating from high school is admitted to the mental health unit for depression and suicidal ideation. He tells the nurse the military is not what he expected and he wants to go home. The nurse observes a variance in affect between his interaction with peers and staff. The nurse suspects:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's variance in affect between peers and staff suggests that he may be malingering, or exaggerating his symptoms in order to obtain a discharge from the military. He may be feeling disillusioned with the military and seeking a way out. Body dysmorphic disorder involves excessive concern with perceived flaws in one's appearance, factitious disorder involves intentionally fabricating or inducing physical or psychological symptoms for attention or other personal gain, and conversion disorder involves experiencing physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition. None of these disorders seem to fit the client's particular symptoms and situation.

An 18-Year-Old Client Who Joined the Military Shortly After Graduating