Describe Someone From Previous Experience Who Experienced De

Describe Someone From Previous Experience Who Experienced Depression O

Describe someone from previous experience who experienced depression or mania. Include a brief history and 3-5 most pertinent medications to that disorder. Identify one problem that was not resolved with the treatment regimen. What are the reasons it may not have been successful? Include nursing as well as other team members.

Identify one effective nursing intervention and why you feel it worked. Overall, do you feel this client was kept safe? Why or why not? Please provide supporting evidence for your answers.

Paper For Above instruction

Depression and mania are two polar aspects of mood disorders that significantly impact an individual's mental health and daily functioning. In this essay, I will discuss a hypothetical case based on previous clinical experience involving a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder, including a brief history, key medications, unresolved issues, and the collaborative efforts of healthcare team members to ensure safety and effective treatment.

The client in question, a middle-aged woman named Sarah, had a history of major depressive disorder diagnosed five years prior. Her depressive episodes were characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and occasional thoughts of self-harm. Sarah also experienced episodes of mania, which manifested as periods of elevated mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsivity. Her history indicated a pattern of recurrent mood episodes that required ongoing management.

Pertinent medications prescribed for Sarah included selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline, to manage her depressive symptoms; mood stabilizers like lithium to control manic episodes; and atypical antipsychotics, such as quetiapine, to help stabilize her mood swings. These medications were selected based on her symptom profile and history of episodes. However, despite adherence to this regimen, she continued to experience residual symptoms of depression, particularly feelings of hopelessness and fatigue, which significantly affected her quality of life.

One unresolved problem in Sarah’s treatment was her persistent feelings of hopelessness and fatigue, which were not fully alleviated despite medication adjustments and psychotherapy. Several reasons contributed to this incomplete response. First, medication side effects such as weight gain and fatigue sometimes reduced her motivation to adhere strictly to her treatment plan. Second, psychological factors, including unresolved past trauma and feelings of helplessness, might have contributed to the incomplete resolution of her symptoms. Third, potential medication non-compliance or subtherapeutic levels of her mood stabilizers could have limited the effectiveness of her treatment.

The multidisciplinary team, including psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, worked collaboratively to address her needs. Psychiatric nurses played a crucial role in monitoring her medication adherence, recognizing early warning signs of mood episodes, providing emotional support, and educating her about her condition. Psychiatrists adjusted medications based on her response, while social workers provided support in addressing environmental and psychosocial stressors contributing to her mood swings.

One effective nursing intervention was the implementation of regular, structured mental health check-ins combined with safety assessments. This intervention worked because it provided a consistent point of contact for Sarah, enabling the nurse to identify early warning signs of worsening depression or mania and intervene promptly. For instance, during one check-in, subtle signs of increased agitation and sleep disturbance were recognized, leading to early medication adjustments and psychoeducation, which prevented further deterioration of her mood.

Overall, I believe Sarah was kept safe through vigilant monitoring, medication management, and psychosocial support. Her care team maintained a comprehensive safety plan, including safeguarding measures such as immediate access to crisis resources, regular assessment of suicidal ideation, and involving her family in her treatment plan. Documentation showed no instances of self-harm or harm to others during her treatment period, which indicates her safety was a priority. This collaborative, patient-centered approach contributed significantly to her stabilization and safety.

References

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