Use the information you learned about medication for mental disorders and apply it to a
real case example. This will help you identify differences and similarities among various
mental health diagnoses and begin to think about the best treatment options. Refer to
chapter 8 in the textbook to find DSM-5 diagnosis criteria to identify the appropriate
diagnosis and treatment.
Instructions:
Read the case study and answer the following questions using the template below.
Include symptoms the client is experiencing, the diagnosis and treatment you chose,
and why you chose the treatment you did.
• What is this patient’s most likely diagnosis?
a. Bipolar I Disorder
b. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
c. Major Depressive Disorder
d. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
e. Personality disorder not otherwise specified
• Which of the following would be the most appropriate initial treatment for this
patient?
a. Referral to Narcotics Anonymous
b. Antidepressant Medication
c. Olanzepine (Zyprexa)
d. Electroconvulsive Therapy
Case Study:
A Tired Mom
Chief Complaint
Mary, a 27-year-old, married, woman presents to your office stating that she is troubled
by headaches and fatigue. She says that she always feels tired and can’t sleep well,
PSY307 – Drugs & Behavior
Case Study
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often waking up early. She describes her headaches as dull, aching and generalized.
These symptoms began about three weeks ago and have been getting worse. She
reports a lack of interest in her usual activities. She also reports that she is missing work
due to fatigue and inability to concentrate. Although her two children are both in school,
she is concerned that she is not spending quality time with them. She is worried that
she might have “something bad” because she has difficulty concentrating and is having
frequent crying spells. She reports not sleeping well and a loss of appetite, with a weight
loss of 10 pounds in the last month.
Social History:
The patient has no significant past medical or psychiatric history and takes no regular
medications. She denies using alcohol or drugs. The patient has two elementary schoolage children.
Physical Examination:
The patient is cooperative, alert, oriented; no delusions or hallucinations, and her
thoughts are goal-directed and logical. You note the patient has some psychomotor
slowing. During the interview, the patient suddenly bursts into tears. She tells you that
she has been feeling sad almost all the time. She states that her thoughts are full of
worries, with feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. She denies current suicidal
ideation. All her lab values are within the normal range.
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. (2012). Case study: A tired
mom.
Requirements:
• Use the template below when you complete this assignment.
• Incorporate all ideas into your own words.
Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write
and again after you write.
Template for your response to this assignment –
[Patient name, age, gender, status (married, single, divorced)] complains of [symptoms
of chief complaint (why patient came to the doctor)]. [Patient name] endorses [list
symptoms that match criteria (e.g. can’t sleep well = insomnia)] over the last [reported
duration]. [List impairment (occupational, interpersonal, or social) or distress reported by
patient]. [Identify aspects that are key to rule out other diagnoses] (e.g. denies
hallucinations/delusions, denies alcohol and drug use, normal labs, etc).
Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
According to patient report of symptoms patient appears to be experiencing [DSM-5
diagnosis]. Course of treatment should include [enter treatment here], because [enter
reason for your treatment rationale here].
