Functional Analysis in Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

The following case study examines the treatment of a man who presented with ambiguous concerns related to safety. Initially, diagnosis was unclear, and a psychotic disorder was hypothesized. Through the use of functional analysis (FA), it became clear that he met criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and was subsequently treated using Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). He experienced clinically significant change as his score on the PTSD Checklist dropped from 59 to 26. This case demonstrates the utility of FA in the diagnostic process to ensure identification of key treatment targets. Also, visual methods of increasing attentional focus during cognitive restructuring are reviewed.