Evidence Based Practice For A Patient With Depression And Other Issues

Individuals who experience severe anxiety are unable to complete any tasks or rituals. During years, there have been many therapies that work

Research, quality improvement (QI), and evidence-based practice (EBP) all play an important role in the field of healthcare and are essential for the delivery of quality patient care. While each involves teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity there are distinct differences between them.

Thus far, I have learned about the pros and cons to using medication in treatment with clients. In addition, I have seen first hand the benefits of implementing medications in client’s treatment plan. From my understanding, Depression is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the world. Because of this fact it is important that we understand and explore all the implications surrounding the use and efficacy for treatment. In order to treat our clients with the best care possible, we as therapist should be educated on the types of medications for depression, the impact they have on the body, and their efficacy of improving symptoms and overall functioning. In this paper I will explore three articles about antidepressants and their efficacy for treating clients with depression. In addition, I will provide my overall reaction to the studies and the material provided for the efficacy of antidepressants for treating depression.

Jeremy, nice posting about continuing to advance evidence-based practice (EBP). Stevens (2013) wrote that clinical leaders have the chance to advance ahead and change healthcare from a systems view, thus directing their efforts on evidence-based practice (EBP) for proven effectiveness, patient commitment, and patient safety. I see that through this program that this is only the beginning, I have the sturdy foundation from which I can build from the bottom up. Now that my eyes are open more and I challenge the organization or leaders more with the data to support my claims, I am now the squeaky wheel that grates on your nerves.

HIPAA requires that individually identifiable information be protected. This information includes but not limited to any information pertaining to physical or mental health, provisions of health care, payment or any other information that can lead to the patient’s identity. Currently, there aren’t restrictions on de-identified information. The entity must first ensure that there are no individually identifiable information within the document before disclosing the information.

The Sarah self-referred for assessment at am outpatient clinic. She subsequently requested a referral to a psychologist in Chicago, IL. Sarah is a 24-year-old adult Caucasian female who identified as a lesbian. She reported a history of depressive symptoms that have worsened in the last few months. She is seeking treatment for these intensified depressive symptoms. She described having “depression” many years ago, but became evasive when asked to clarify. In addition, she noted a concern with experiencing anger and hostility towards others; she stated that these emotions are “uncomfortable” for her. She clarified that in the past three months she has perceived herself as “grumpier than usual.” She reported having experienced anhedonia, fatigue, and insomnia.

Research provides the evidence necessary to prove the efficiency of a particular practice and support how that practice will be spread to the therapeutic community at large. Sharf (2012) exemplifies that 50% of patients that enter treatment show meaningful change after thirteen to eighteen sessions and 25% of additional patients show the same change after fifty sessions, as such psychotherapy research should pay attention to problems in treatment and change treatment to make it more successful. The utilization of evidence-based treatment provides statistical data that shows where specific treatment is working and areas that need improvement in order to increase successful outcomes. A variety of sources from which data can be collected to

The client that I have chosen is a woman named Rhonda. Rhonda is a mother of two children, who is experiencing some difficulties in her life. Rhonda is a 32 year old woman who has a long-term history of depression and alcoholism. She has been suffering from depression ever since she was 13 years old. Rhonda also has been suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her children.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy work just as well as antidepressants when treating depression? How we perceive our depression is what helps to determine the type of treatment necessary. Antidepressants treat the common symptoms of depression rather than the condition while therapy helps change the thought process so the disease is cured in the end. Many studies are done to provide necessary information to what the answer to this question should be. The following articles provided studies that explained the effects of treatment with medication, with therapy, or a combination of both.

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)

A probable reason why CBT works with depressed patients is that depression interacts with both cognitive and motivational processes. This is well evidenced in experimental analogue research with healthy and depressed individuals. Individuals with depression show deficits on a range of cognitive tests (Brown, Scott, Bench, 1994) with the pattern of dysfunction having many of the characteristics associated with fronto-subcortical impairment. Reischies and Neu (2000) found that depressed individuals displayed mild cognitive impairments in comparison with matched controls, particularly in the areas of "adverbial" memory, psychomotor speed and verbal fluency. Further in these patients there appears to be considerable variation in the recovery of cognitive function with remission of the depressive episode.

Anxiety Disorders are characterized by many symptoms and often associated with depressive tendencies. Although the majority are produced in a person based off of their genetic material, other influences exist environmentally that can encourage or discourage the severity of the symptoms and prognosis it has on one’s overall well-being. Early diagnosis and a systematic combination of treatments can help reduce the tensions and encourage a more normal life than what was previously experienced by the person with the disorder.

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.

Major depressive disorder affects nearly 15 million of American adults in a given year. (Kessler, Chiu, Demler & Walters, 2005). With the impact it has on the society as well as the well-being of the individual, it must be in the interest of the healthcare to be able to provide patients with the most effective treatment method. Extensive research has been conducted on the efficacy of antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy, the two main treatment methods used for depression today. The discussion has, however, been characterized by conflicting claims, resulting in a debate over what should be used rather than us having definite conclusion of how patients are best helped.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “18.1% of the United States adult population” has an anxiety disorder (Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults). This percentage would equate to about 40 million adults in the United States, making anxiety the most common mental illness in our country (Facts and Statistics, 2016). Furthermore, “… only about 17% of United States adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health.” Approximately, 26% of adults are living with a mental health disorder in any year (Mental Health, 2014). Even with these high statistics, not all who have this condition seek treatment. In a twelve-month treatment period, only 33 to 35% of people are obtaining minimally adequate treatment for help with the disorder (Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults). It is important that those who are experiencing this disorder are able to find the necessary treatment to alleviate anxiety issues. Similarly, Virginia shows high mental health disorder