psychosocial stressors
The Case # 1: The man whose antidepressants stopped working
The 63 yr-old with the worst depression and anxiety he has ever felt. He is married for 33 years and with 3 children. He is a non-smoker and non-drug and alcohol abuse. He has a medical history of Atrial fibrillation and Hypercholesterolemia. He has a family history with depression that is the mother, son, and daughter.
Three Questions I might ask the patient if he were in my office.
What is your current problem, symptoms, and thoughts?
What are your interpersonal or psychosocial stressors?
Rationale: The goal is to learn more about the patient, his current problems and symptoms; a complete history of previous symptoms; a family history; a history of significant stressful life events (psychosocial stressors); information concerning lifestyle, culture, social support structure and any suicidal thoughts or tendencies the person may be experiencing.
Are you comfortable if we can involve your family members or significant other in psychoeducation and treatment?
Rationale: According to Gulf Bend Center (n.d.a.) one of the well-studied sociological factors that helps prevent depression is known as “social support.” Social support simply refers to whether or not people have access to and make use of a network of interpersonal relationships for supportive purposes. People receive social support from their family, friends, work, and significant others. Social support networks provide a shoulder, guidance, love, caring, entertainment, laughs, and other types of mental and physical assistance during times of need and crisis.
For your recurrence depression, can we try a combination of medication and psychotherapy?
Rationale: Psychotherapy has been recommended for the treatment of depression which
includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy, and problem-solving therapy. CBT is considered as the first-line and most evidence-based psychological therapy for depression. CBT works by identifying any dysfunctional thoughts and replacing them with more helpful ones, with the intent of modifying negative behaviors and emotions that perpetuate the depression (Ng, How & Ng, 2017).
