Cassandra Braithwaite
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
RAPID Reasoning
STUDENT
Marcus Jackson, 34 years old
Primary Concept
Mood and Affect
Interrelated Concepts (In order of emphasis)
1. Stress
2. Coping
3. Anxiety
4. Clinical Judgment
History of Present Problem:
Marcus Jackson is a 34-year-old African American male who served four combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He came to the Veterans Administration (VA) today for an outpatient appointment because he has not slept more than two
hours a night for the past week. This is his fourth clinic visit over the past year with the same symptoms: inability to
sleep, nightmares, increasing anxiety, and isolation.
Every time he falls asleep, he relives the bombing and has flashbacks of bloody body parts that he witnessed after the
explosion. He states that he is more aware of noises and any loud noise such as fireworks and or cars backfiring causes
him extreme anxiety. His medications for PTSD have not been helping control his anxiety. He has been spending more
time in his room watching TV and avoids spending time with his wife and children. Today he told his wife he should have
died and not his friends. His primary care provider encouraged voluntary admission and his wife brought Marcus to the
emergency department of the closest VA hospital so he can be admitted.
Personal/Social History:
During his last tour in combat, Marcus’ best friend drove over an IED. The explosion killed everyone in the vehicle.
During the blast, Marcus was hit with shrapnel in his left leg, stomach, and left eye. These injuries left him blind in his
left eye. He has had multiple surgeries to his abdomen, and six reconstruction surgeries to his leg. He walks with a limp
and continues to complain of severe pain in his left leg. He was given a medical discharge from the Marines because of
the extensive nature of his injuries and is receiving disability.
Marcus is married with three children from six to twelve years of age. He has been married to his wife, Ariel, for
fourteen years. While in the service, his family moved six times and endured four combat tours of duty. Each time he
returned home from combat, his wife noted that he has no history of physical aggression and has been more agitated and
had more trouble sleeping with frequent nightmares. Marcus reports he used to drink “a lot” but decided two years ago
that alcohol was making everything worse. Reports he has not had a drink for the past 1 ½ years. Denies other drug use.
