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Major Depression: A Case Study

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Depression is a disorder ranging in severity and affecting an individual’s emotions and behaviors as well as impairing everyday functioning (Woo & Wynne, 2011). The disorder is is often noted twice as often in women as men (Sassarini, 2016). With this in mind, G.F’s presentation of symptoms including, sadness, depression, crying, insomnia, increased appetite with the inability to concentrate and fatigue categorize her depression as major depression. The diagnosis of major depression includes, the presentation of 5 out of 9 symptoms which G.F. has and requires at least one symptom include feeling depressed or a loss of interest or lack of enjoying anything (Trangle et al., 2016). Other signs of major depression consist of G.F.’s unkemptness …show more content…

Identification of these physical and emotional signs is imperative to assist with diagnosing and treating depression because it is a leading cause of disease burden among Americans (Woo & Wynne, 2011).
What additional information would you like before making a decision about what to do with GF?
To assist G.F. with the appropriate treatment it is imperative to obtain a complete history and physical. Information that must be obtained secondary to G.F.’s appearance and statements regarding feeling stressed, depressed and fatigued, must include the length of time symptoms have been present and when they occur, any family history related to psychiatric disorders, lifestyle factors like exercise, current medications or homeopathic medications she is taking, current menstruation status, any history of substance use, any recent life changes or tragedies, questions regarding the potential for abuse, presence of a current support system and information regarding what resources assisted her with overcoming her depression last time. Per Trangle et al. (2016), major depression can be triggered by risk factors like, history of major depression or substance abuse, loss of a loved one, …show more content…

would include, a goal to reduce her current symptoms, with minimal adverse effects and improve her quality of life by improving her daily functions while ensuring any possible suicidal ideations were not present (Woo & Wynne, 2011). The most concerning symptoms include, G.F.’s flat affect, her slowness to respond to questions, ungroomed appearance, an uncertainty of her future and her history of past episodes of depression. The grouping of these symptoms place G.F. at a greater potential risk for harm to herself despite her denying suicidal ideations and requires a multistage therapeutic approach. It is recommended to combine therapies for G.F. A recommendation for combination therapy including pharmacological intervention and therapy for major depressive disorder (Trangle et al., 2016). The medication of choice for G.F. will include, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The specific class of medications is suggested to treat depression with symptoms including, slow motor functions (Woo & Wynne, 2011). G.F. will be prescribed Effexor 75mg twice daily for her current symptoms and will be monitored for weekly but may require 8-12 weeks for full benefits (Woo & Wynne, 2011). G.F. is experiencing both depression and anxiety and may require the addition of Buspirone to her medication regimen as it is known to assist in treating individuals with anxiety and depression (Woo & Wynne, 2011). The dose would consist of 7.5mg twice daily and may be

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