tommyk
04-09-2006, 04:12 AM
Hy 2112
A 22-year-old patient named Virginia Woolfe comes to the doctor because she has concerns regarding her sexuality. She states that for as long as she can remember she has been sexually attracted to other women. She was raised in a family where homosexuality is considered "unacceptable," so she has never discussed these feelings before. Now, however, she feels that she can no longer hide her feelings, but she is concerned that she will cause deep and irreparable harm to her relationship with her parents if she tells them. She is anxious about this. What do you give or do?:confused:
1- Prescribe a benzodiazepine
2- Prescribe estrogen
3- Prescribe haloperidol
4- Send her to a counselor
5- Reassure her that this is “just a faze” and will go away.
6- Give her a subscription to Playboy magazine as a palliative remedy.
7- Prescribe testosterone
a) Is #4….Sexual orientation is an issue of tremendous importance in the life of an individual. Patients often come to physicians for advice and input regarding questions of sexual orientation. It is essential that the physician try to address these issues in an unbiased manner that will allow the patient to express her feelings. However, it is also essential that a physician realize his or her limitations in being able to deal with complex questions regarding sexuality, self-expression, and family dynamics. This patient has issues not only regarding her sexual orientation, but also her family and the impact her sexual orientation may have upon them. She would, therefore, be most likely to benefit from psychological counseling, where a full evaluation could be conducted encompassing the personal and family issues. To attempt to reassure her that time will change her feelings would not be appropriate. First, her issues regarding sexual orientation may not change with time. Second, there is no indication that a change of feelings is what she needs. Her present feelings and issues must be addressed and this could be done appropriately with psychological counseling. Finally, let’s not advocate certain magazines.:cry:
A 22-year-old patient named Virginia Woolfe comes to the doctor because she has concerns regarding her sexuality. She states that for as long as she can remember she has been sexually attracted to other women. She was raised in a family where homosexuality is considered "unacceptable," so she has never discussed these feelings before. Now, however, she feels that she can no longer hide her feelings, but she is concerned that she will cause deep and irreparable harm to her relationship with her parents if she tells them. She is anxious about this. What do you give or do?:confused:
1- Prescribe a benzodiazepine
2- Prescribe estrogen
3- Prescribe haloperidol
4- Send her to a counselor
5- Reassure her that this is “just a faze” and will go away.
6- Give her a subscription to Playboy magazine as a palliative remedy.
7- Prescribe testosterone
a) Is #4….Sexual orientation is an issue of tremendous importance in the life of an individual. Patients often come to physicians for advice and input regarding questions of sexual orientation. It is essential that the physician try to address these issues in an unbiased manner that will allow the patient to express her feelings. However, it is also essential that a physician realize his or her limitations in being able to deal with complex questions regarding sexuality, self-expression, and family dynamics. This patient has issues not only regarding her sexual orientation, but also her family and the impact her sexual orientation may have upon them. She would, therefore, be most likely to benefit from psychological counseling, where a full evaluation could be conducted encompassing the personal and family issues. To attempt to reassure her that time will change her feelings would not be appropriate. First, her issues regarding sexual orientation may not change with time. Second, there is no indication that a change of feelings is what she needs. Her present feelings and issues must be addressed and this could be done appropriately with psychological counseling. Finally, let’s not advocate certain magazines.:cry: