Accurately diagnosing depressive disorders can be challenging given their periodic and, at times, cyclic nature. Some of these disorders occur in response to stressors and, depending on the cultural history of the client, may affect their decision to seek treatment....
1. Introduction Focus of Week 4: Anxiety disorders, Post‑Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Clinical Importance: These conditions are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, often comorbid, and significantly impair...
Assessing and Diagnosing Patients With Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, and OCD “Fear,” according to the DSM-5-TR, “is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat” (APA, 2022). All anxiety disorders contain...
A 34-year-old African American female with Panic Disorder and Chronic Insomnia returned for follow-up. She reports waking up multiple times during the night due to panic attacks characterized by a racing heart and shortness of breath. She describes feeling constantly...
Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations are a way to reflect on your practicum experiences and connect the experiences to the learning you gain from your weekly Learning Resources. Comprehensive notes, such as the ones required in this practicum course, are often used...
Psychotic disorders and schizophrenia are some of the most complicated and challenging diagnoses in the DSM. The symptoms of psychotic disorders may appear quite vivid in some patients; with others, symptoms may be barely observable. Additionally, symptoms may overlap...
A 24-year-old African American female with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder returned for follow-up. She reports ongoing difficulty coping with a recent job loss, which has...
Assessing and Diagnosing Patients With Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders An important consideration when working with patients is their cultural background. Understanding an individual’s culture and personal experiences provides insight into who the...
A 40-year-old Hispanic female with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Insomnia returned for follow-up. She reports frequent nightmares and difficulty falling asleep due to hypervigilance and intrusive memories related to a past traumatic event. She describes...
A 33-year-old Caucasian male with Alcohol Use Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder returned for follow-up. He reports continued cravings for alcohol, especially during stressful situations, and describes increased anxiety when unable to use alcohol as a coping...
As an advanced practice provider, you may encounter situations where your clinical judgment differs from your colleagues. For this reflective assignment, you will begin to gain experience in recognizing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for Standards of Care from...
Neurodevelopmental disorders begin in the developmental period of childhood and may continue through adulthood. They may range from the very specific to a general or global impairment, and often co-occur (APA, 2022). They include specific learning and language...
