Persistent Depressive Disorder Intervention: 30-Year-Old Male Patient

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Table of Contents

Description of the case
Description and Justification of an Intervention
Identification of another Health Professional
Specification of Professionalism Characteristics
Description and Justification of Person-Centred Strategies
References

Description of the case

Mordecai is a male who is 30 years old. He suffers from a persistent depressive disorder, which is a common type of depression. Persons with this condition report low self-esteem, failure to enjoy things they once found pleasurable, and fatigue (Lam, Michalak, & Swinson, 2006). Mordecai has been suffering from the condition for the past year. The condition and its contextual factors have affected his level of functioning. It has impaired his daily activities and social life.

Patients with this disorder have impaired social cognition, perspective-taking, and social sensitivity (Wilkinson, 2013). They lack concentration and have a negative attitude towards life. According to family and friends, over the past year, Mordecai has complained of persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. When carrying out his activities, the patient shows little or no interest (Lam et al., 2006).

Mordecai’s disorder has had a significant impact on his life. He cannot maintain a stable relationship with his relatives or friends. The reason for this is his negative attitude and consistent changes in moods. In addition, he cannot maintain a job (National mental health report, 2013).

Description and Justification of an Intervention

As a medical practitioner with extensive experience in dealing with depression, my primary duty will be to help Mordecai manage his problem (Mpofu & Oakland, 2010). A number of interventions relevant to the problem will be adopted. I will adopt these measures using the ICF framework. To this end, I will start by analysing Mordecai’s mental functions, his major life skills, and significant interactions. In addition, I will assess the structures of his nervous systems. I will also evaluate the dynamics and relationships between his behaviour and social systems (Manincor, Bensoussan, Smith, Fahey, & Bourchier, 2015).

Mordecai exhibits a wide range of behaviours. They include indecisiveness, restlessness, and problems with decision making. In addition, he reports recurring thoughts of suicide and death (Lam et al., 2006). I have evaluated these traits in relation to the provisions of the ICF framework. My assessment reveals that Mordecai has restricted interpersonal interactions. The patient also suffers from significant constraints in relation to his community and social life. It is noted that suicidal thoughts and the inability to maintain stable relationships are the greatest challenges facing patients with persistent depressive disorder (Manincor et al., 2015). The case is evident in Mordecai’s situation. According to ICF, the problem can be classified as moderately difficult Class II impairment.

There are a number of interventions that can be used to help patients suffering from a persistent depressive disorder. The success of the treatment procedure depends on various factors. One of them is the severity of the illness. Another factor is the willingness of the patient to take part in the management procedure (Corey, 2010). As an experienced medical practitioner, I have come up with a set of what I believe to be the best treatment interventions for Mordecai. My decisions are based on the requirements of the ICF framework. The preferred interventions would be medication and talking therapy.

Medication

Medication entails administering different classes of antidepressants based on the severity of the condition (Lam et al., 2006). To find the right and most effective medication, which has the least side effects, a number of factors will be evaluated. The aspects include physical and mental condition, as well as other medical conditions.

Talking Therapy

There are a number of talking therapies that can be used on this patient. They include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mentalisation- Based Therapy (MBT). Both techniques will be used to help Mordecai change his negative attitudes towards others, ease death and suicidal thoughts, and enhance self-esteem (Manincor et al., 2015).

Risks Involved with the Interventions

The main risk associated with the therapies is exploring the patient’s painful feelings, experiences, and emotions (Wilkinson, 2013). As a result, the treatment sessions can be uncomfortable to the individual. The patient may develop stress and anxiety (Manincor et al., 2015). Another risk is lack of commitment and cooperation on the part of the patient and failure to take antidepressants as prescribed.

Risk Minimisation Strategies

The first risk minimisation strategy is working with a team of skilled medical practitioners (Corey, 2010). The professionals will help me create a working treatment environment. Their participation will make it possible to effectively engage with Mordecai. The second strategy is to equip the team of medical practitioners with coping skills to address the negative attitudes portrayed by the patient. Finally, a family member will be requested to monitor Mordecai to ensure that he takes the medications as required.

Identification of another Health Professional

Another health professional in the inter-professional team will be a psychologist. According to the ICF framework, the role of the practitioner is to analyse the problems presented by the patient in relation to four primary components (Mpofu & Oakland, 2010). The aspects include body functions and structures, activities and participation, as well as environmental factors.

Goal Setting

One of the main roles of a psychologist when dealing with persistent depressive disorder patients is goal setting (Corey, 2010). In Mordecai’s case, the psychologist will help in setting such goals as maintaining stable relationships, improving work performance, anger management, and enhancing self-esteem.

Assessment

According to the ICF framework, psychologists should regularly test their patients. The aim is to diagnose the persistent depressive condition of the client. In relation to Mordecai, the professional will carry out routine check-ups to understand the link between his thoughts, feelings, and actions (Manincor et al., 2015). The assessments will be used in evaluations during the treatment sessions.

Ongoing Care

Psychologists offer long-term counselling to patients suffering from depression disorders (Wilkinson, 2013). In relation to Mordecai, the professional will meet the patient twice a week.

Therapy

One of the methods to be used in managing the patient’s problem is therapy. As a result, the professional’s help will be of great importance (Wilkinson, 2013). The psychologist will work with other practitioners to offer mutual support to Mordecai.

Specification of Professionalism Characteristics

Maintaining Ethical Standards

Healthcare professionals are guided by codes of ethics and standards of practice (National mental health report, 2013). When treating Mordecai, ethics as a characteristic of professionalism will be demonstrated by maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and accountability. Confidentiality is a key ethical principle in healthcare (Corey, 2010). The reason is that the medical practitioner acquires sensitive and private information about a patient. In Mordecai’s case, I will maintain his right to privacy. In addition, I will demonstrate honesty and accountability.

Clinical Maturity

As a characteristic of professionalism, clinical maturity will be demonstrated by managing personal emotional states and empathy. I will also protect Mordecai from negative, aggressive acts from ‘their self’ (Corey, 2010). Failure to control personal emotions may impact negatively on intervention practices (Wilkinson, 2013). The feature may affect the relationship between the patient and the doctor.

Clinical maturity will be demonstrated by showing empathy towards Mordecai while remaining objective about the importance and meaning of various manifestations of the mental condition. According to Wilkinson (2013), patients who feel that medical practitioners have created a genuine and empathetic connection with them experience a reduction in levels of stress, pain, and anxiety. Empathy makes the patient feel cared for by the doctor. Consequently, they open up to the practitioner and become committed to the treatment process.

Consulting other Professionals

Professionals in medical fieldwork with different colleagues. They share ideas regarding the conditions of patients and preferred interventions (Lam et al., 2006). When treating Mordecai, I will regularly consult with other experts, such as psychologists. The major aim of this approach is to share information on what is working well and what needs to be changed (Mpofu & Oakland, 2013).

Description and Justification of Person-Centred Strategies

Person-centred practice entails adopting a humanistic approach to help patients understand their ability to resolve their problems and realise their potential (Corey, 2010). It also helps them to transform their lives in positive ways. The two strategies I will implement to ensure the person-centred approach include focusing on thinking and planning. The approaches promote patient participation.

Person-Centred Thinking Strategy

In Mordecai’s case, I will use this strategy to develop a set of values, tools, and skills to know him better (National mental health report, 2013). The primary aim of the approach is to determine what he considers important in life. My main objective will be to support the client based on his weaknesses, strengths, abilities, and aspirations. Mordecai will then be helped to make meaningful decisions about his life based on the concepts.

Person-Centred Planning Strategy

The approach entails discovering patients’ goals and supporting them to accomplish the targets (Wilkinson, 2013). The strategy is evidence-based. In the case scenario, I will use the technique to assist Mordecai plan and lead an inclusive and independent life. Resources will be provided from the patient’s network, service providers, and non-specialists. The aim is to help Mordecai support himself and manage some of his problems as he plans to lead a new life.

References

Corey, G. (2010). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. Auckland, N.Z.: Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

Lam, R., Michalak, E., & Swinson, R. (2006). Assessment scales in depression, mania and anxiety. Oxfordshire, UK: Taylor & Francis.

Manincor, M., Bensoussan, A., Smith, C., Fahey, P., & Bourchier, S. (2015). Establishing key components of yoga interventions for reducing depression and anxiety, and improving well-being: A Delphi method study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 15(85), 1-10.

Mpofu, E., & Oakland, T. (2010). Rehabilitation and health assessment: Applying ICF guidelines. New York: Springer.

National mental health report: Tracking progress of mental health reform, 1993-2011. (2013). Web.

Wilkinson, M. (2013). Depression. Web.

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