A Treatment Plan For A Client

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Depressive disorders remain one of the common mental health problems reported by adults. Different symptoms manifest depending on the depressive disorder that a patient presents. It is important to have a clear understanding of the symptoms that characterize each depressive disorder to help a patient and create effective intervention strategies.
HPI and Clinical Impression
Anna is a 38-year-old female who visits a mental health office complaining of headaches and fatigue. She reports that she can go for days with a few hours of sleep and sometimes almost no sleep at all. In her previous clinical report, Anna reported that she suffers from dull, generalized headaches. Anna’s major problem is fatigue, and feeling sad and hopeless almost every day. Anna claims that her depressive symptoms began almost four years ago and she attributed it to her work environment. However, even after changing jobs to something she thought she enjoyed doing, the fatigue and emptiness continued. She reports that she often calls in sick or fails to go to work because of fatigue and inability to concentrate. She has also lost interest in most activities that she previously enjoyed. For example, she rarely goes hiking with her friends, a tradition, she enjoyed in the past. She finds it difficult to master the energy to accomplish any daily routines. In the last three months, she reported losing weight more than 15 pounds without trying.
The clinical impression for Anna is major depressive disorder (MDD). According to the DSM 5, MDD is characterized by depressive mood and loss of interest or pleasure. At least five or more of the symptoms of depressed mood or loss of pleasure should have persisted for two weeks continuously and interfere with normal functioning (American, 2013). Anna presents depressed mood almost all day as she indicates feeling hopeless, sad, and empty. She does not enjoy biking and going to do normal activities that she previously enjoyed. She has insomnia almost every day and fatigue or loss of energy. Anna also has difficulties concentrating at work and has lost significant weight without trying.
Psychopharmacologic Treatments
The recommended psychopharmacologic treatment includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The most suitable SSRI or antidepressant is sertraline (Zoloft) at 25 to 50 mg per day to improve mood, energy levels, appetite and quality of sleep (Patrick et al., 2009). Ann can also benefit from escitalopram (Lexapro) at 10mg per day. Escitalopram assist in restoring serotonin, which is a mood enhancing agent (Patrick et al., 2009). When it comes to depression, Ann would need to use Zoloft and Lexapro to see if she responds effectively. If the two do not help, Tricyclic antidepressants or Monoamine oxidase...