Diagnosis and Treatment of Depressive and Mood Disorders

Depressive and mood disorders are common conditions in the general population. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that over 9% of the adult population in the United States suffered from a depressive or mood disorder in the past year (NIMH, 2020).   While they are very treatable through both medication and psychotherapy, they cause considerable functional impairment and suffering in both clients and their families.

This week’s readings and assignment provide an opportunity for you to develop a deeper understanding of the different types of depression and mood disorders.  You will develop an understanding of their causes, their symptoms, best current treatments, and the role of family and primary relationships in managing depressive and mood disorders and restoring functioning. This week’s assignment will also provide opportunities for you to examine outside resources and information, which are needed to gather information about mood disorders.  Accessing, appraising, and applying the best current evidence is a very important skill for marriage and family therapists and all health care providers.

Of importance in depressive and mood conditions is the assessment of suicidal ideation and client safety.  Suicide remains a significant but preventable cause of death in the United States.  In the most recent data provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),  suicide was the second-highest cause of death (after accidents) in people ages 10 to 34.  It was the fourth leading cause of disease in people ages 35 to 54. It is very important that MFTs thoroughly assess both passive and active suicidal ideation, and work with clients, family members, and other health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, and advanced practice providers in the development of safety plans based on the best current evidence.

This week, you will select a case vignette and provide a thorough diagnosis of a client vignette (depressive or mood disorder), assess suicidal ideation using the Columbia Suicide Scale, describe the best current medications to treat the diagnosed condition, describe an approach to individual psychotherapy and an approach to providing psychoeducation and therapy to a client’s family members (explaining the biologic causes of the condition and the role of medication in treatment).  Each must be supported by the best current available evidence.

Please carefully review the week’s resources.

You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignment.

References:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.).  Prevalence of Any Mood Disorder Among Adults.

Weekly Resources and Assignments

Review the resources from the Course Resources link, located in the top navigation bar, to prepare for this week’s assignments. The resources may include textbook reading assignments, journal articles, websites, links to tools or software, videos, handouts, rubrics, etc.

Redshelf Textbook

AATBS National MFT Course Materials-2022

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List of Topics and Sub-Modules for Week 3

· AATBS National MFT Course Materials-2022

External Learning Tool

AATBS National MFT Course Materials-2022

Read the Assessment & Diagnosis materials related to Bipolar and Related Disorders and Depressive Disorders: pages 35-38.

Read the Assessment & Diagnosis materials related to Sources of Information: pages 17-22.