Basic Information Patient: Helen Burns
Sex: Female
Age: 13
Primary Diagnosis: Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Notes
-- After careful observation of the patient, Helen Burns, I have come to the conclusion that she suffers from Attention-Deficit Disorder or ADD. Miss Burns is a bright girl with a passion for reading an learning, however her passion is not reflected in her grades and academic performance. She is observed to be a relatively shy and introverted pupil and exhibits many sign of an intellectually gifted individual. Despite her high intelligence her teachers note her to be lazy and disobedient; reporting that, "nothing can correct [her] of her slatternly habits" (65). The patient has agreed with these assessments of herself, but claiming that, " even... praise, though I value it most highly, cannot stimulate me to continued care and foresight" (67). Miss Burns inability to correct her forgetfulness and lack of organization is a classic symptom of ADD. Seen clearly in state of her room which she often forgets to clean. It is not that Burns is lazy or unwilling to improve herself, she simply cannot; her ADD makes it close to impossible. Teachers have also stated that she is not attentive in class and she rarely pays attention. However burns exclaims that, "[her thoughts] continually rove away: when [she] should be listening to [her teacher]... [and] often [she loses] the very sound of [her teachers] voice. Her "absent-mindedness" is characteristic of children with ADD. Contrastingly, Miss Burns claims that she pays attention most intently when the subject matter interest's her. I believe she is describing a sate of "hyperfocus", where children with ADD can over focus if the topic is interesting to them. As to a cure, unfortunately, there is no solution I can suggest that could be reasonably executed within the environment of Lowood School. That being said, Miss Burns' resilient spirit and positive outlook give me hope that she will find a way to manage her symptoms and graduate successfully.
I think most likely Aspergers Syndrome - she is the character I felt affinity with.
ReplyDeleteWe can be verv in the moment which is I suspect a positive spiritual although we struggle with executive functioning which can make us seem lazy and forgetful and frustrating for others.