04 Jan The Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Initial Stages of Psychopharmacological Intervention response to 2 colleaques

SOCIAL WORK

SOCW 6443 –Psychopharmacology and Bio-psychosocial Considerations for Social Workers

Discussion 2: The Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Initial Stages of Psychopharmacological Intervention response to 2 colleaques

 

In the initial stages of psychopharmacological intervention, mental health professionals must be aware that complications or concerns can arise. Clients may experience negative side effects of the medication. They might forget or avoid taking the medication. The disorder may have been misdiagnosed and cause other issues. The client may have preexisting conditions that other medical professionals had not known when the diagnosis was made. The client could have had a comorbid condition that they did not disclose. In short, a number of very serious issues might manifest in the early stages of treatment requiring action on the part of the mental health professional.

For this Discussion, you will be placed into one of three groups by the Instructor.

Group A should initially post to the Depression Case Study for John.

Group B should initially post to the Depression Case Study for Paulette.

Group C should initially post to the Depression Case Study for Marcus.

You will then respond to a colleague from a different group.

For your initial post analyze the case, determine the psychopathology presented and describe the appropriate treatment methods for the client.

 

• By Day 7 (Note!!! PLEASE WRITE OUT EACH QUESTION BEFORE PROVIDING A RESPONSE. Follow the prompt please.!!! “Please I need an excellent paper”

Respond to two of your colleagues’ see below, (½ a page each with 2 references) postsfrom a different group who posted to a different Depression Case Study by:

• Offering an alternative medication to address the major symptoms identified that indicate depression

• Detailing current research that corroborates or refutes this drug and explain how this might impact a physician’s choice of this drug

• Offering another strategy that might address the challenges that may arise in the initial stages of treatment

 

Be sure to support your responses with specific references to the to the Learning resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references both within the text and on the referencing section. PLEASE ALWAYS INCLUDE THE REQIRED TEXTBOOK as part of the references and if possible some of the REQUIRED READING if applicable. Please always start by referring to THE TEXTBOOK, below

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Psychopharmacology Demystified 2011

Author: Lichtblau, Leonard

ISBN-13:

ISBN-10:

Edition/Copyright: 2011

Publisher: Cengage Learning

 

REQUIRED

Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists 8TH 17

Author: Preston, John D.

ISBN-13: 978-1-62625-927-0

ISBN-10: 1-62625-927-5

Edition/Copyright: 8TH 17

Publisher: New Harbinger Pub.(cc)

 

Learning Resources

Required Readings

 

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 2, “Pharmacotherapy of Depression” (pp. 21–34)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

• Chapter 7, “Depressive Disorders” (pp. 77-93)

• Chapter 16, “Antidepressant Medications” (pp.175-200)

• Appendix C, “Psychotropic Drug Interactions (pp. 293-308)

 

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

 

Use the DSM-5 to guide you through your understanding of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Antidepressant medications for children and adolescents: Information for parents and caregivers. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml

 

As you review this website, consider the variety of medications used for mental health treatment.

 

Spiegel, A. (2012, January 23). When it comes to depression, serotonin isn’t the whole story. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/01/23/145525853/when-it-comes-to-depression-serotonin-isnt-the-whole-story

 

As you review this blog, consider the information provided and how depression was treated in the past and how it is currently treated.

 

Document: Depression Case Studies (PDF)

 

Select a case study from this document to complete this week’s Discussion 2

 

Optional Resources

 

MSW home page

 

Use the link below to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

 

Brandon Richburg

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 3 (Paulette)

COLLAPSE

There are various symptoms that can indicate depression. For example, depressed mood, inability to experience pleasure, noticeable weight loss or gains and lethargy etc. (America Psychiatric Association, 2013). A mental heal professional’s role in making the client aware of medications is pivotal in treatment. Medication can have and/or cause efficient, adverse or limited effects on the client. Concerns can be associated with allergic reactions and or even intoxicating effects. As well as the proper dosages and several medications being prescribed.

The case that was assigned, is the case of Paulette. Paulette has been delinquent when following through with plans. Especially when it involves seeing immediate family. Not only those presenting symptoms. Also, the same examples, that the writer mentioned earlier. Although, the seizures have not been recorded for at least a decade. The fact that Paulette has a history of seizures is a potential challenge, considering psychopharmacological interventions. Preexisting medical and somatic conditions can help providers distinguish appropriate interactions, pertaining to medication regimens. According to the text, whenever psychiatric medications are ordered. Then the prescriber should be mindful of addiction like qualities or anticholinergic effects (Preston, et al., 2017). This can help avoid adverse medication effects effecting neurotransmitters and appropriate blood flow. One strategy mental health professionals might suggest is obtaining a medication history. As well as any documentation if permitted, that can confirm a medical history and physical.

 

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Assessment measures. In Diagnostic and statical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.AssesmnetMeasures

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger. Appendix C, “Psychotropic Drug Interactions (pp. 293-308)

 

 

Jonathan roberto

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 3 (Marcus)

COLLAPSE

Indicators of Depression

If we reference the DSM-5 Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnostic criteria, It is indicated that Marcus experiences the primary depressive symptoms which include markedly diminished pleasure as he states he feels “everything is devoid of joy or excitement” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). He also reports the following depressive symptoms of insomnia, weight loss, fatigue, and possible worthlessness (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). He also indicated that he has “battled major depressive disorder” in the past. Since five of these symptoms are present which indicate potential diagnosis of MDD we must consider additional factors in this case as well as the unknown factor of symptoms being present during at least a 2-week period indicative of MDD (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Through the differential diagnostic process however, we see that Marcus frequently uses the elicit substances of cocaine and extasy and reports his “last bout of depression” occurred during this time period. This suggests an alternative diagnosis of substance induced depressive disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Potential Medications

Considering the factors associated with this case it is important to first recognize that SSRIs are commonly initially prescribed for the treatment of depression as they are the safest and have fewer side effects than other antidepressants (Preston, 2017). With it is also important to recognize due to Marcus’s Cocaine use the drug interactions of all antidepressants pose for the potential for dangerous effects such as elevated blood pressure and hypertension leading to cardiac arrest (Preston, 2017). Possibly considering an SSRI such as Prozac may be an option however there is some research literature that shows efficacy in utilizing the SNRI Effexor for the treatment of depression and has shown to reduce cocaine use and alleviating depression associated which is relevant specifically in this case (McDowell, 2000).

The Role of the Mental Health Professional

Marcus has chosen to seek help and counseling due to his increased frequency of cocaine and drug use precipitating depressive symptoms he has had a history of. As a mental health professional, it is important to commend Marcus on seeking treatment initially providing potential for a stronger therapeutic alliance. It is then important to provide Marcus with education on how SNRI antidepressants work especially the relevant data that may help him in his substance use causing depression. Specifically, in terms of his reported symptoms in reference to the SNRI Effexor it is beneficial to note that this medication has minimal side effects related to anxiety, sedation, and insomnia, with moderate likelihood of side effects of nausea in comparison to other SSRI and SNRI antidepressants (Preston, 2017). Lastly, it may be beneficial to provide Marcus with resources for potential 12 step recovery programs and groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and in conjunction with supportive psychotherapy.

Potential Challenges Impacting Marcus

During the first stage of treatment (acute treatment) in typical good case scenarios medication and treatment adherence for 6-8 weeks may result in a patient being asymptomatic (Preston, 2017). Considering the factors of this case, Marcus may expect a quicker positive response to his medications and may continue to use cocaine to experience pleasure which is counterproductive in treatment (Preston, 2017). Often during the continuation of treatment prolonging the 6–8-week period medication changes may be made which may delay the process and further result in potential relapse which slows down the process of completing the third phase of maintenance treatment (Preston, 2017).

Strategy to Address Challenges

To address these potential challenges, it is important to continue to encourage and provide empowerment to Marcus promoting recovery and hope. In addition to prevent relapse during the maintenance treatment phase it is important to provide Marcus with continued education on early warning signs of the return of symptoms so that treatment modifications and mitigation can occur to prevent relapse and distress, or relapse can be prevented (Preston, 2017). In conjunction to pharmacological treatment during the provision of psychotherapy continued support psychoeducation and the use of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) interventions can be used so that Marcus can continue to develop greater insight and become equipped with additional coping skills to utilize within treatment and life.

 

References

American Psychiatric Association . (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: Dsm-5. American Psychiatric Association.

McDowell, D. M., Levin, F. R., Seracini, A. M., & Nunes, E. V. (2000). Venlafaxine treatment of cocaine abusers with depressive disorders. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 26(1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1081/ada-100100588

Preston, J. D., O’Neil, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists. New Harbinger publications.