ADULT DEPRESSION Harvard Case Solution & Analysis

Adult Depression Case Study Solution

  1. Correctly diagnose the client using DSM-5 criteria. Support and reference DSM-5.

The DSM-5 also known as a diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders is a book for diagnosing the patient. In this book around 100 international experts have contributed to provide all aspects of mental health. By using the DSM-5 product in diagnosing the client suffering from depression, the major issue is as follows(Tracy, 2016):

  • Depressed Mood
  • Headaches
  • Backaches
  • Problem sleeping
  • Annoyed with everyone
  • Change in appetite
  • Low Esteem

Additional DSM 5 criteria

  • Experiencing depression for more than two months
  • Severely impacting the social life
  • Not caused by use of Prozac
  1. Identify drug class of medication prescribed (Prozac) and contraindications. Reference.

Prozac is one of the antidepressant drugs which is used for treating depression in adults. This drug comes in various forms such as liquid, tablet, and capsule. The normal dosage of this drug is once per day and the dose of Prozac starts with 20 mg. It is used for treating many other mental disorders such as:

  • Depression
  • Panic Disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Bulimia nervosa

The side effects of Prozac include anxiety, nervousness, tremor, nausea, skin rash, flu syndrome and many others. The contraindication for the use of Prozac is that the medicine should not be taken during breastfeeding the baby as it may be passed into the milk. Prozac is not the best choice when the patient is having difficulty to sleep.(Nordqvist, 2017).

  1. Identify drug class of medication(s) that may be prescribed for the diagnosis listed in question 1 (provide arationale, support, and references).

The drug which could be prescribed for treating the patient suffering from depression as diagnosed through the DSM 5 is the Citalopram as it is one of the most common drugs for treating depression. The Citalopram is used for easing depression through increasing serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is one of the chemicals which messages neurotransmitter to signal the brain cells to block reabsorption. Since Prozac is not considered suitable when the patient is having asleeping problem, while Citalopram would be suggested for treating depression and sleeping disorders. Citalopram has fewer side effects compared to other antidepressant drugs (Iodine, n.d.).

  1. Identify drug class of medication(s) that may not be prescribed for the diagnosis listed in question 1 due to pregnancy and potential lactation (provide arationale, support, and references).

The drug which could not be prescribed for treating the patient suffering from depression as diagnosed through the DSM 5 is Prozac due to being passed to the children during breastfeeding. Xanax another common depression antidepressant which was found in causing birth abnormalities and doctors tried to avoid the drug during pregnancy. Many of the antidepressants pose risks to pregnancy, however, untreated depression and anxiety can cause lowered birth weight, lowered health and many other issues (King, 2017).

Another antidepressant drug which has been discouraged to use during pregnancy is Paroxetine (Paxil) which is shown to cause a small increase in fetal heart defects. Other antidepressant drugs which should also be avoided are MAOIs, Nardil, and Parnate which would limit the fetal growth (Staff, Mayo Clinic, 2017).

  1. Describe related micro circuitry (how the mono amine neurotransmitter systems are linked to the biological basis of depression and mood disorders).) Support and reference.

The mono amine neurotransmitter system refers to the compounds of serotonin, adrenaline, and noradrenaline which performs multiple functions such as sleep mechanisms, body temperature, feeling pain, cardiovascular and respiratory. The mono amine neurotransmitter system is linked with specific symptoms of major depressive disorders.

These major depressive disorders are associated with the increase or decrease of neurotransmitters. Depression and mood disorders are linked with neurotransmitter system as it conveys signals and creates disturbance in the brain circuits to the compounds of mono amine neurotransmitter (DJ, 2008).

  1. What is your first choice to treat the patient?

The patient Marsha has been suffering from depression for many months and has been suffering from headache, back pain, lack of appetite and mood changes. She even had the thought of suicide due to her depression. My first choice for treating the patient would be through therapy.

The reason for choosing therapy is because she had been divorced at a young age and has two children and is pregnant with another child. She had too many responsibilities such as raising children and making money to feed her family. As a single mother, the burden of raising her family had been significantly influenced by her depression. Marsha’s overall health was in a good condition and had no problems. The therapy would help Marsha in overcoming her depression, anxiety, and stress (Campbell, 2017).

  1. If your first choice is not effective, what would be your next recommendation (provide arationale, support, and reference.) Same guidelines as in question 6. Provide rationale, support & reference.

If the therapy fails to reduce the depression, anxiety and stress of Marsha then my next recommendation for curing her depression would be through offering some strong antidepressant drugs such as SSRI but avoid prescribing the drugs which would harm the child. I would also increase the dosage of the medication to reduce the effects as some people react differently to medications. If Prozac was ineffective then I would offer Citalopram which is also a widely used antidepressant drug (Staff, Mayo Clinic , 2017).................

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