DEPRESSION

Depression Medical Case Study



Depression Medical Case Study

Introduction

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today issued guidelines for the NHS on the treatment and care of people with depression and anxiety. The guidelines take account of today's announcement by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on the safety of anti-depressant drug treatments and will support health professionals when implementing the MHRA's advice. The guidelines also recommend effective psychological treatments for people with depression and anxiety and will set national standards for care across England and Wales. (Baker, 2002, 26)

Depression is characterised by a low mood and loss of interest, usually accompanied by one or more of the following - low energy; change in appetite, weight or sleep pattern; poor concentration; feelings of guilt or worthlessness and suicidal ideas. The guideline on depression recommends that for mild and moderate depression, psychological treatments specifically focused on depression (such as problem-solving therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and counselling) can be as effective as drug treatments and should be offered as treatment options.

Patients medical History and Presenting Condition

Amy Jones, 45 years of age, dates of birth.

Mrs Jones attends the surgery for her regular review. Mrs Jones has a prior diagnosis of depression and is now concerned that her medication is affecting her libido. Mrs Jones has no significant past medical history, she has a history of depression and is currently taking prescribed medication, and she denies taking any over the counter medication or herbal remedies. Mrs Jones is currently prescribed Fluoextine 20mgs daily. (Gillham, 1990, 427)

Diagnosis

Mental health professionals and physicians are careful and deliberate when evaluating their clients for clinical depression. It takes more than just tearfulness or a feeling of sadness on the part of the client to indicate the presence of depression. A professional should take the time to gather a good deal of information about a person before determining that he or she is clinically depressed. In addition to a medical evaluation, a clinical interview, and possibly additional assessments, a professional will evaluate whether a person has specific symptoms of a mood disorder such as major depression, dysthymia or depression disorder. Each mood disorder is characterized by a unique set of symptoms, or diagnostic criteria, which are listed in a publication called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition, Text Revision. (Baker, 2002, 26)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition, Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) is the present quotation utilised by mental health professionals and physicians to identify mental disorders. This publication is often mentioned to as the DSM or DSM-IV, and we use such abbreviations here for convenience. The American Psychiatric Association started announcing the DSM in 1952, and it has since gone through some modifications before the latest type, the newest version was released in 2000. A revised version is anticipated in 2012. The present DSM-IV-TR registers over 200 mental health conditions and the criteria needed for each one in producing a befitting ...