Dr. Rhae Laps Case Summary

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as successful as medicine in treating many types of depression and other mental health disorders it can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies and because it is highly structured, CBT can be provided in a number of different formats such as through computer programs, groups and self-help books. Some research suggests that CBT may be better than antidepressants at preventing the return of depression. It is thought to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.

In 2005 the Center of Disease Control and Prevention 's (CDC’s) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) tracked Americans using antidepressants for three years. The study concluded in 2008 that more than 1 in 10 Americans ages 12 and older have used an antidepressant drug. This study comes in the wake of a heated debate in the media about the effectiveness of antidepressants treating depression. Last year, antidepressants were the second most commonly prescribed medication, right behind drugs directed to lower cholesterol. With so many people in the United States relying on these drugs, it is easy to question if they are just expensive, overused placebos.

The demand for antidepressants has skyrocketed since the early 1990’s with a majority of users being adults. Appalling to this fact is that about half of those under the prescriptions have in the recent past visited a mental health professional. In addition to this, almost 60 percent of those who use antidepressant do not really need them. I also concur with the fact that our modern lifestyle has contributed so much to augment depression rate.

“Relapses can have devastating consequences for people with mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or an anxiety disorder. After every relapse, it may become increasingly difficult to regain control over the symptoms. For this reason, it is especially important for people with a mental disorder to do all that is possible to reduce the risk of a relapse”

Specific topic of focus: Combining psychotherapy with anti-depressants is more effective to treat depressive disorders than treating with psychotherapy alone or antidepressants alone.

Treatments using anti-depressants is well documented, but there are very few studies documenting only the use of psychotherapy. However, in one study done using the Cognitive–behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP) as a maintenance treatment, the overall findings show that psychotherapy in itself can be successful. “ There were 82 patients who were treated with CBASP long term. Patients were chosen at random to reduce their treatment to monthly or to an observational status. The patients, only treated monthly with CBASP, showed a smaller amount of reoccurring symptoms then the patients in the observational status. These findings support the use of only CBASP as a maintenance treatment for depression.” (Klein, 2004)

I feel that Dr. P has a case in this situation. I feel he has the ability to sue for compensatory damages. I would argue that Dr. P is a public figure. As you said he is the foremost academic on exposure to violence and the human psyche. Since he is a public figure and his work is important to public interest. Because of this we have to prove malice. In this case we also have to determine how defamation of DR. P is present. We have to answer how his reputation is being harmed, how his standing in the community is being harmed.

Treatment and management of major depressive disorders can result in both cognitive behavioral therapy in conjunction with medications (Gliatto & Rai,1999). The medication of choice is usually SSRIs, however; in K.P.’s situation, the outpatient provider has previous prescribed him with Sertraline and Fluoxetine, which would make his head explode. He is currently taking Levomilnacipran (Fetzima) 40mg dose daily at home. Since Fetizma is not part of the hospital formulary, the inpatient psychiatry started K.P. on an SNRI, Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL) 150mg daily, and Divalproex Sodium (Depakote) 250mg for depression and mood stabilization. It is important to monitor and adjust the medication accordingly for response. Also, it is important to

This essay is about the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in the treatment of depression. The purpose of this essay is to address the question, how mindfulness works to improve mental health when used as part of psychological treatment? Firstly, a brief overview is given about what depression is and what the symptoms are, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Secondly, It will discuss mindfulness, as it is defined in mental health treatments. The main body of this essay will cover a description of what MBTC is, where it comes from, how it works, and how this treatment is activated in mindfulness based therapies. The final section will review three studies that have used MBCT in the treatment of depression.

An accruing relapse of depression is hard to overcome nevertheless; preventing these relapses is the key. The length of depression constitutes a major problem in the treatment of depression. However, many evidences suggest that psychological treatments have been withdrawn to the many treatment trials that have been found in cognitive therapy such as drugs or different types of therapy that defends against depression. “The preventive interventions such as the drugs operate through effects in changing the patterns of the cognitive processing that becomes active in mild negative side effects” (Teasdale, Segal, & Williams, 1995, p.25).

As the literature remains inconclusive as to the relation between current major treatment modalities and depressive disorder, and given the extremities of the potential dangers of antidepressant medications, it is apparent that there is a need to develop new interventions, which show greater efficacy, safety, and acceptability.

In research conducted by Hollon et al (2005), it was stated that while there was evidence for the enduring effects of cognitive therapy, there was a lack of extensive research comparing the effects to the use of antidepressant medication after terminating the treatment.

The first step to treating many of these new cases of depression is the prescription and use of antidepressant medication, however this has cause a mass flooding of our society with unnecessary prescription drugs. Due to the ease of treatment, primarily with prescription drugs, and the large range of severity in depression is often over diagnosed, adding to the problem.

Terms discussed in paper: CBT: Cognitive-behavioural therapy; HEP: Health enhancement program; TAU: Treatment as usual; TRD: Treatment-resistant depression; Mediators: Measurable changes during a treatment; MBCT: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy;

Prescription of antidepressants and psychotherapy sessions demonstrated an increase in ART adherence. Mindfulness training (MT) involves redirecting attention, avoiding emotional reactions and developing skills of self-regulation. In comparison to a control group the group with an MT intervention had a decreased viral load on follow up suggesting increased adherence. Studies have shown that MT decreases anxiety, depression whilst improving sleep quality and cognitive function.