When you decide to purchase a new car, you first decide what is important to you. If mileage and dependability are the important factors, you will search for data focused more on these factors and less on color options and sound systems. The same holds true when searching for research evidence to guide your clinical […]

1. Introduction Petunia Park is a 25‑year‑old female presenting for a mental health assessment. She has a history of four psychiatric hospitalizations, most recently in spring 2020. Reports episodes of high energy, creativity, and hypersexual behavior lasting about a week, followed by depressive periods with low mood, fatigue, and lack of motivation. History of medication […]

1. Introduction Mood disorders are psychiatric conditions that primarily affect emotional state, leading to persistent sadness, elation, irritability, or mood instability. Common examples: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Bipolar Disorder (BD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Cyclothymic Disorder. They significantly impair functioning in work, relationships, and daily life. Effective management requires comprehensive assessment, accurate diagnosis, and individualized […]

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE EXEMPLAR AND TEMPLATE—READ CAREFULLY If you are struggling with the format or remembering what to include, follow the Focused SOAP Note Evaluation Template AND the Rubric as your guide. It is also helpful to review the rubric in detail in order not to lose points unnecessarily because you missed something […]

Treating Adults With Mood Disorders It is important for the PMHNP to have a comprehensive understanding of mood disorders in order to assess and accurately formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan for patients presenting with these disorders. Mood disorders may be diagnosed when a patient’s emotional state meets the diagnostic criteria for severity, functional impact, […]