lly. Joan started to believe that “little green aliens” were following her around. She insisted that these “aliens” believed her to be their “queen.” Joan also believed that the “aliens” were going to take her “home” when she was ready. She claimed she was never told when she would be “ready”, but that she would just be gone the moment it happened. Looking back, Joan’s parents thought of unusual behaviors almost from birth. Joan didn’t like to be held or cuddled. She often would stay in her room all day except to eat. Joan also had difficulties in school. At age 7 she was tested for learning disabilities. Joan was then diagnosed with comprehensive and reading difficulties. Assessment and ConsequencesJoan was taken to see a psychologist at the referral of a school counselor shortly after her tenth birthday. She had started to become more of a problem at school and at home. She was insistent that the aliens were coming for her at any time. The psychologist’s initial reaction was drug or alcohol abuse. Joan passed all blood and urine tests. After many other tests the psychologist recommended institutionalizing Joan. Her parents refused and took Joan to see a highly recommended psychiatrist. At age twelve Joan was in the fifth grade and doing horribly academically and socially. Her peers were constantly teasing her about her “little green friends.” Joan’s parents pulled her out of school and her mother started to home school her. The home school attempt lasted about six months until Joan’s mother just gave up on her learning. At this time Joan started going into comatose-like trances. At this point her psychiatrist began watching for schizophrenia. Joan began to stop talking about the aliens and the doctors and her parents had hope for a full recovery. Three months after the “aliens” stopped...
