It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Case Study:
A 24-year-old female 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, often waking up early if she gets to sleep at all. 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, even the ones that she used to enjoy. She also reports that she is missing work due to fatigue and inability to concentrate. Although both her children are in school, she is concerned that she is “losing them”. She is worried that she might have “something bad” because she has difficulty concentrating and is having frequent crying spells. She reports a loss of appetite, with a weight loss of 10 pounds in the last month.
The patient has no significant past medical or psychiatric history and takes no regular medications. However, she takes ibuprofen for headaches. She denies using alcohol or drugs. The patient is married, with two elementary school-age children.
Discussion Questions:
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Diagnosis: Based on the patient’s symptoms of persistent fatigue, early morning awakening, diminished interest in activities, weight loss, difficulty concentrating, and frequent crying spells, she meets the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). The duration of symptoms (three weeks) and functional impairment (missing work, impacting parenting) further support this diagnosis.
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Medication Classifications: First-line pharmacologic treatment for MDD typically includes Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and occasionally atypical antidepressants. SSRIs are often preferred due to their favorable side effect profile, safety in young adults, and efficacy in improving mood, sleep, and appetite (Fava et al., 2020).
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Recommended Medication/Dose: I recommend initiating sertraline 50 mg orally once daily, which can be titrated up to 100 mg based on response and tolerance. Sertraline is effective for both mood symptoms and anxiety, generally well-tolerated, and has extensive evidence supporting its use in MDD in adults (Cipriani et al., 2018). The patient should be closely monitored for adverse effects, response to therapy, and suicidal ideation, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.
Cipriani, A., Furukawa, T. A., Salanti, G., Chaimani, A., Atkinson, L. Z., Ogawa, Y., … & Geddes, J. R. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet, 391(10128), 1357–1366. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32802-7
Fava, M., Rush, A. J., Thase, M. E., Clayton, A. H., & Stahl, S. M. (2020). 3rd generation antidepressants: clinical considerations in adults. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(2), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.19r12991
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Understand the Case Study
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Identify the patient’s age, gender, and presenting symptoms.
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Note the duration, severity, and impact on daily functioning (work, parenting).
Step 2: Formulate a Diagnosis
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Compare the patient’s symptoms to DSM-5 criteria.
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Highlight key symptoms (fatigue, anhedonia, sleep disturbances, weight loss, impaired concentration).
Step 3: Identify Medication Classes
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Research first-line antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical antidepressants.
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Consider safety, side effect profile, and efficacy.
Step 4: Recommend a Medication and Dose
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Choose the most suitable medication based on evidence-based guidelines.
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Provide starting dose, titration plan, and monitoring considerations.
Step 5: Support with Scholarly Evidence
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Include at least one peer-reviewed source from the last 5 years.
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Ensure proper APA in-text citations and reference list.
Step 6: Write Clearly and Concisely
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Stay within 250–300 words for the initial post.
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Organize content logically: diagnosis, medication class, recommendation.
Step 7: Proofread and Review
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Check grammar, spelling, and APA formatting.
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Verify that all discussion questions are addressed.
Resources for Further Reading:
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