We all have our own lived experiences: They are learning opportunities that help prepare us to become counselors

Diagnosing Children versus Adults

When diagnosing children, the first consideration would be to see that the symptoms are present in more than one setting, but in adults, it may only be one situation. The most common consideration is that the signs should be present at home and school, the two most common areas where children are present. The symptoms should be severe in one of the settings, and this can help with understanding some of the causes and triggers that may be affecting the child the most. The time limit within which the symptoms occur is critical and should be over an extended period, like twelve months. According to Caspi & Moffitt (2018), there are some common signs to consider when dealing with adults: excessive worry or fear, feeling excessively sad over a long period, having problems concentrating and confused thinking, and even extreme mood changes. The culture that a person comes from may influence what they consider right or wrong; thus, there is a need to consider that when making a decision. When there is a history of mental illnesses in the family, it is common to find a person may have a personality disorder. Thus, biological history is an important consideration that one must make before offering a diagnosis.