INTRODUCTION “A long-standing debate has roiled over whether addicts have a choice over their behaviors. The disease creates distortions in thinking, feelings, and perceptions, which drive people to behave in ways that are not understandable to others around them. Simply put, addiction is not a choice. Addictive behaviors are a manifestation of the disease, not […]

Psychotherapy involves more than giving good advice. For the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), effective therapy requires deliberate, evidence-based approaches tailored to individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. This course examines a variety of therapeutic techniques and modalities, emphasizing integration of theories such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic, humanistic-existential, interpersonal, and others. Students explore […]

It is estimated that more almost 7% of the U.S. population will experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). This debilitating disorder often interferes with an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Common symptoms of anxiousness and depression frequently lead to behavioral issues, adolescent substance abuse issues, […]

“Fear,” according to the DSM-5-TR, “is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat” (APA, 2022). All anxiety disorders contain some degree of fear or anxiety symptoms (often in combination with avoidant behaviors), although their causes and severity differ. Trauma-related disorders may also, but not necessarily, contain […]

The Patient info: Subjective: Patient J.B. is a 33-year-old Caucasian female who presents for initial psychiatric evaluation with consent obtained. She is currently in an inpatient treatment facility for addiction. She reported that she wants to “continue out-patient treatment because she is a recovering addict”. She noted that she abuses crack cocaine and has been […]