Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
Walden University Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
The introduction for the Walden University Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
How to Write the Body for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
After the introduction, move into the main part of the Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Sample Answer for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
Subjective:
CC (chief complaint): “I have a history of taking medications and then stopping
Them because I don’t think I need them. I feel like the medication squashes me.”
HPI:
Petunia Park is a 27-year-old White female who presented for psychiatric assessment with complaints of taking her medications on and off. She stops her medication mostly since she does not perceive that she needs them. Park also states that she feels the drugs squash her. The patient reports getting depressed 4-5 times per year, making her not work at her aunt’s bookstore. During the depressed periods, she has no urge to wake up, lacks motivation, and has minimal motivation. Her creativity also diminishes, making her feel worthless. She experiences depressive periods after she has worked hard for five days o
n her writing, painting, and music work. The patient states that people tell her she is depressed during those periods, but she believes it is just exhaustion from her hard work.
The patient states that she gets creative for about a week and then crushes. She fails to take her medication when creative because they squash her, yet she has a lot of energy. Besides, she sleeps minimally for 4-5 days, engages in many activities, talks excessively, and appears scattered. The patient also states that she likes to explore her body and mind through sexual activity to get pleasure during her creative periods. She is usually too busy to take meals when creative but can feed on anything when crashed. When she is creative, she sleeps about three hours per week but 12-16 hours/day per day when depressed. She further states that she hears voices saying that she is great and very talented when not sleeping adequately.
Substance Current Use: She last took alcohol at 19 years. She smokes nicotine 1PPD. History of using Marijuana (1 episode) stopped due to paranoia.
Medical History: Has Hypothyroidism.
- Current Medications: Levothyroxine to treat Hypothyroidism; On Hormonal pills for Polycystic Ovaries.
- Allergies: No allergies
- Reproductive Hx: History of Polycystic Ovaries.
ROS:
- GENERAL: Reports increased appetite and diminished energy levels during depressive episodes. Reduced appetite and high energy levels on creative episodes. Denies fever, chills, or malaise.
- HEENT: No changes in vision, rhinorrhea, sneezing, facial pain, or dysphagia.
- SKIN: Negative for discoloration, rashes, or lesions.
- CARDIOVASCULAR: Denies chest pain, SOB on exertion, or edema.
- RESPIRATORY: Denies breathing difficulties.
- GASTROINTESTINAL: Denies abdominal symptoms.
- GENITOURINARY: Denies abnormal vaginal discharge or urinary symptoms.
- NEUROLOGICAL: Denies headaches, black spells, or paralysis.
- MUSCULOSKELETAL: Negative for limitations in movement.
- HEMATOLOGIC: No bruises or bleeding.
- LYMPHATICS: Denies lymph node swelling.
- ENDOCRINOLOGIC: Denies excessive hunger, urine production, or thirst.
Objective:
Vitals: Temp- 98.2, Pulse- 90, Respiration-18, B/P 138/88
Diagnostic results: Urine drug and alcohol screen- Negative.
CBC-normal ranges.
CMP within normal ranges.
Lipid panel within normal ranges.
Prolactin Level 8; TSH 6.3 (H)
Assessment:
Mental Status Examination:
The patient is neat and well-groomed. She is alert and oriented to person, place, and time. She maintains eye contact for most of the interview but fidgets on her chair. The patient’s speech is clear and goal-directed. The thought process is coherent and goal-directed. No apparent hallucinations, delusions, phobias, compulsions, or suicidal ideations or plans. Memory is intact, and insight is present.
Diagnostic Impression:
Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder is the most likely diagnosis based on the presence of DSM-V clinical features in the patient. Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of elevated mood, which alternate with a profoundly depressed mood (McIntyre et al., 2020). The patient has a history of creative episodes characterized by an elevated mood alternating with depressive episodes. Besides, the creative episodes are characteristic of manic episodes that occur in Bipolar. The patient’s features of mania include excessive energy levels, diminished need for sleep, increased goal-focused activities, high distraction, and engaging in risky sexual activities (APA, 2013).The mania episodes alternate with episodes of depressed mood, which present with diminished interest in activities, low energy levels, lack of motivation, and feeling of worthlessness.
Major Depressive Disorder (MMD):
The patient presents with symptoms that align with the DSM V diagnostic features of MDD. The symptoms include depressed mood, diminished interest, reduced energy, lack of motivation, hypersomnia, and feeling worthless (APA, 2013). However, the depressed mood is not constant and alternates with episodes of elevated mood, which rules out MDD as a presumptive diagnosis.
Schizophrenia:
Petunia has symptoms that match the DSM-V criteria for schizophrenia. This includes auditory hallucinations where she hears voices. She also has diminished interest and motivation, which are negative symptoms of schizophrenia (McCutcheon et al., 2020). Nevertheless, the patient’s manic and depressive symptoms make schizophrenia an unlikely primary diagnosis.
Case Formulation and Treatment Plan:
The patient has bipolar disorder based on features of mania and depression. The treatment plan will comprise pharmacological and psychotherapy approaches.
Pharmacological: Lithium XR 450 mg per oral twice daily. Lithium is the first-line therapy for acute mania and long-term prophylaxis in bipolar disorder (Atagü & Oral, 2021).
Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to train the patient cognitive-behavioral skills that can help her cope with Bipolar and help her identify and address common psychosocial stressors and issues caused by the disorder (Atagü & Oral, 2021).
Follow-up: A follow-up will be scheduled after four weeks to evaluate the patient’s response to treatment, assess for side effects, and modify treatment if necessary.
Reflection:
If I conducted the session again, I would utilize screening tools such as the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), which is used to examine bipolar symptoms and the severity of the disorder (Montes et al., 2021). I would also administer a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to adequately assess MDD symptoms and their severity. Legal/ethical considerations, in this case, include confidentiality for the patient’s health information. The clinician should also seek consent before initiating treatment and uphold autonomy by engaging the patient in decision-making.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Atagün, M. İ., & Oral, T. (2021). Acute and Long-Term Treatment of Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder. Noro psikiyatri arsivi, 58(Suppl 1), S24–S30. https://doi.org/10.29399/npa.27411
McIntyre, R. S., Berk, M., Brietzke, E., Goldstein, B. I., López-Jaramillo, C., Kessing, L. V., Malhi, G. S., Nierenberg, A. A., Rosenblat, J. D., Majeed, A., Vieta, E., Vinberg, M., Young, A. H., & Mansur, R. B. (2020). Bipolar disorders. Lancet (London, England), 396(10265), 1841–1856. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31544-0
McCutcheon, R. A., Reis Marques, T., & Howes, O. D. (2020). Schizophrenia-An Overview. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(2), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3360
Montes, J. M., Pascual, A., Molins Pascual, S., Loeck, C., Gutiérrez Bermejo, M. B., & Jenaro, C. (2021). Assessment Tool of Bipolar Disorder for Primary Health Care: The SAEBD. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(16), 8318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168318
Sample Answer 2 for Assignment: Assessing, Diagnosing, and Treating Adults With Mood Disorders
Subjective:
CC (chief complaint): ” I have a history of taking medications and stopping them.”
HPI: P.P. is a twenty-five-year-old woman who came to the facility for a mental health assessment. She reports a history of not complying with the previously prescribed psychiatrist medications. She reports that some of the medications interfere with her sense of self and her creativity, which makes her stop using them. She was first hospitalized during her teenage years for not sleeping for four to five days and experiencing auditory hallucinations. She also reports a history of suicide attempts following an overdose of Benadryl. She reports side effects of various medications such as Zoloft, which makes her feel euphoric and suffer racing thoughts and insomnia, while Seroquel causes her weight gain. She also reports periods of heightened energy and creativity, as well as a decreased need for sleep lasting for about one week. She also reports engaging in risky sexual behavior to maintain her mood.
Substance Current Use: The patient reports smoking about a pack of cigarettes per day and shows reluctance to quit smoking. She last drank alcohol at the age of 19. She also tried using marijuana once and stopped using it since it made her feel paranoid. She denies using any other substance.
Medical History:
- Current Medications: She uses unspecified medication for hypothyroidism and birth control pills for polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Allergies: No reported allergies
- Reproductive Hx: She is currently on birth control pills for PCOS. Reports regular menstrual cycle, with the last one occurring the previous month. No possibility of pregnancy since she reports safe sex. The patient currently lives with her boyfriend, and she has no child yet.
ROS:
- GENERAL: No fever, chills, fatigue, or weight loss. However, she reports fatigue during depressive episodes. Reports fluctuations in appetite during manic and depressive episodes
- HEENT: No headache, vision changes, ear pains, hearing problems. No nasal congestion or sore throat.
- SKIN: No skin lesions, itches, or rashes.
- CARDIOVASCULAR: No chest palpitations, chest pain or edema
- RESPIRATORY: No wheezing, cough, or shortness of breath
- GASTROINTESTINAL: No diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal pain. Reports overeating during the depressive episodes.
- GENITOURINARY: No urinary or pregnancy symptoms. Reports regular menstrual cycles. Uses birth control pills.
- NEUROLOGICAL: No focal neurological deficits, seizures, or sensory changes. Reports occasional auditory hallucinations during periods of sleep deprivation.
- MUSCULOSKELETAL: No muscle weakness, joint stiffness, or pain.
- HEMATOLOGIC: No bruising or bleeding was reported
- LYMPHATICS: No swollen lymph nodes.
- ENDOCRINOLOGIC: Reports a history of hypothyroidism. No sweating. No heat or cold intolerance. No polyuria or polydipsia.
Objective:
Vital signs: Temp 98.2 Pulse 90 Respiration 18 B/P 138/88
Diagnostic results: Urine drug and alcohol screen negative. CBC within normal ranges, CMP within normal ranges. Lipid panel within normal ranges. Prolactin Level 8; TSH 6.3 (H)
Assessment:
Mental Status Examination: P.P. is well-dressed and groomed. She also looks her age. The patient is alert and oriented. She cooperates during the interview. She has a varying mood and a labile effect. She has intact short-term and long-term memory. She exhibits irritability and frustration when discussing her family history and dynamics. Her speech is a bit rapid and pressured. She exhibits a coherent thought process. While she reports a past suicidal attempt, she denies current suicidal thoughts or homicidal ideation.
Diagnostic Impression:
- Bipolar I disorder: This is an illness where a patient experiences a manic episode preceded or followed by a hypomanic episode or a major depressive episode (Ghaemi et al.,2022). P.P. reported manic episodes. She exhibits various symptoms such as extravagance, inflated self-esteem, lack of sleep, too much speaking, and racing thoughts. According to the DSM-V criteria, the patient’s symptoms indicate bipolar I disorder.
- Major depressive disorder: This is a condition where a patient may exhibit different symptoms, such as frequent and persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness (Flint, 2023). P.P. reported several symptoms, such as feelings of worthlessness, excessive sleep, and low energy. Nonetheless, the symptoms shown by the patient have not been persistent. Hence, this diagnosis is less likely.
- Borderline personality disorder: This is a condition where a patient experiences extreme mood swings and trouble controlling mood swings (Bohus et al.,2021). The patient reports emotional instability and impulsivity. However, she did not exhibit identity disturbance or chronic instability, which then makes this diagnosis less likely.
Reflections: I agree with the assessment and diagnostic impression, especially of Bipolar I disorder being the primary diagnosis. The patient exhibited depressive and manic episodes and a cyclic nature and duration of the symptoms, which aligns with the condition as indicated in the DSM-V criteria (Tondo et al.,2022). One of the things I learned in this case is why it is vital to perform a thorough and systematic assessment during psychiatric evaluations and why sensitivity is important when exploring topics such as past trauma and substance use. Among the things I would do differently is a deeper exploration of the patient’s family history of substance use and mental health and try to understand particular genetic predispositions and environmental factors that may be impacting her condition. It is also important to explore the legal or ethical considerations related to this case. Consent for treatment and confidentiality is vital, especially given the patient’s history of substance use and hospitalization. It is important to ensure informed consent for treatment decisions, especially regarding medication that the patient has been stopping due to their perceived negative impacts. One social determinant of health is her unstable living situation. She depends on her boyfriend and sporadic employment at her aunt’s bookstore, showing possible socioeconomic vulnerabilities (Paro et al.,2021). Therefore, the highlighted factors may negatively impact access to healthcare and adherence to treatment. As part of the health promotion, there should be regular monitoring of their physical health since she has reproductive health concerns, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. She needs to be educated on the risks of smoking and health coping strategies.
Case Formulation and Treatment Plan: The patient needs a comprehensive treatment plan for better outcomes. The necessary laboratory tests have been performed. Therefore, no further laboratory tests are required. Management of Bipolar I disorder will require both psychotherapy and pharmacological approaches. Therefore, the patient should start using lithium carbonate (300 mg) two times a day. She should also start weekly psychotherapy sessions to help deal with the symptoms. In the case of major depressive disorder, the patient should be started on 10 mg of escitalopram once per day. This medication can be integrated with cognitive behavioral therapy. The patient should follow the same plan for borderline personality disorder. The medications may have different side effects. For example, escitalopram may lead to dry mouth, insomnia, headache, and nausea. Besides, lithium carbonate may cause diarrhea, nausea, and weight gain. As part of education, it is important to educate the patient on the importance of adhering to the medication plan and prescription. She should also observe potential adverse reactions and report them as soon as possible.
References
Bohus, M., Stoffers-Winterling, J., Sharp, C., Krause-Utz, A., Schmahl, C., & Lieb, K. (2021). Borderline personality disorder. The Lancet, 398(10310), 1528-1540. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00476-1
Flint, J. (2023). The genetic basis of major depressive disorder. Molecular Psychiatry, 28(6), 2254-2265. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-01957-9
Ghaemi, S. N., Angst, J., Vohringer, P. A., Youngstrom, E. A., Phelps, J., Mitchell, P. B., … & Gershon, S. (2022). Clinical research diagnostic criteria for bipolar illness (CRDC-BP): rationale and validity. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 10(1), 23. Doi: 10.1186/s40345-022-00267-3
Paro, A., Hyer, J. M., Diaz, A., Tsilimigras, D. I., & Pawlik, T. M. (2021). Profiles in social vulnerability: the association of social determinants of health with postoperative surgical outcomes. Surgery, 170(6), 1777-1784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2021.06.001
Kamal, Z. M., Dutta, S., Rahman, S., Etando, A., Hasan, E., Nahar, S. N., … & Ahmad, R. (2022). Therapeutic application of lithium in bipolar disorders: a brief review. Cureus, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.7759%2Fcureus.29332
Tondo, L., Miola, A., Pinna, M., Contu, M., & Baldessarini, R. J. (2022). Differences between bipolar disorder types 1 and 2 support the DSM two-syndrome concept. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 10(1), 21. Doi: 10.1186/s40345-022-00268-2