• present an overview of obsessive-compulsive disorder and the associated symptoms; • describe its pathophysiology; • explain the pharmacological approaches to managing the symptoms of this condition. Finally, after checking the luggage several times, Jane and her husband managed to get out of the house in time to go to the airport for their holiday abroad. On their way to the airport, Jane asked her husband if they could go back and check the front door once more. She was not sure that the door was properly locked. Her husband reminded Jane that she had checked the door twice before they left. However, Jane did not take ‘no’ for an answer and insisted on going back to the house. In the past year, her husband had become increasingly aware of Jane’s odd behaviours and was fed up with her unnecessary checking of everything several times. Even in the kitchen she would re-wash the crockery, clean all the surfaces several times and repeatedly wash her hands. After returning from their holiday, her husband persuaded Jane to visit their doctor. What is the likely diagnosis of Jane’s symptoms? The Read more [...]
Depression Symptoms Treatment
Archive for November, 2010
• present an overview of manic depressive disorder (bipolar affective disorder) and the associated symptoms; • describe its pathophysiology and pharmacological approaches to managing the symptoms of manic depressive disorder; • explain the clinical benefits and side effects of the drugs used. Mr Watson has now been on medication to treat his mania for the past year. Recently, his daughter consulted their doctor again, expressing concerns about her father’s condition. She explained that her father is now experiencing two opposing mood states: these range from depression to periods when he becomes agitated, extremely talkative and does not want to go to sleep. His mood then appears elevated and euphoric and these irritable moods can last for weeks. On further questioning by the doctor, it became clear that her paternal grandfather had also suffered similar mood swings. What is the likely diagnosis for Mr Watson? The swings of mood from depression to mania suggest a diagnosis of manic depressive disorder (bipolar affective disorder). In this condition, the cycle of manic and depressive periods Read more [...]
• present an overview of mania, its aetiology and associated symptoms; • outline a possible connection between the use of antidepressants and the development of mania; • explain therapeutic approaches to managing the symptoms; • explain the limitations associated with the use of lithium. Fifty-six-year-old Mr Watson was taken to his doctor by his daughter, who described her dad’s condition as being critical and possibly dangerous. She explained that her dad was extremely overexcitable, irritable and angry most of the time; he had developed the delusion that he was in possession of special powers and was showing inappropriate elation. She also mentioned that he had been taking antidepressants for a while, following her mother’s death one year earlier. The doctor made a diagnosis and prescribed lithium, advising Mr Watson to stop taking his antidepressant medication and also not to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with his new medication. What is your diagnosis of Mr Watson’s condition? The likely diagnosis is mania. What are the symptoms of mania? The symptoms Read more [...]
• describe the signs and symptoms associated with this disorder; • describe the underlying pathophysiology of the disorder presented; • outline pharmacological approaches to the management of the symptoms; • explain how drugs may cause their clinical benefits and side effects; • outline the mechanism of action of amitriptyline hydrochloride; • explain the advantages of using SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) compared to tricyclic antidepressants and MOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Part 1 It has been nearly five months since 45-year-old Mrs Ford lost her only son. He was 12 years old and was killed in a car accident while playing with his friends. She has been feeling very down since it happened and has an overall feeling of utter hopelessness. She is unable to feel happiness, has difficulty sleeping and her appetite is greatly reduced. Mrs Ford used to enjoy socializing with her friends; however, now she has lost interest. She had been planning to redecorate the house, but since the loss of her son she cannot be bothered. She does not want to cook and when hungry Read more [...]