In this discussion, choose one of the mental illness topics listed below:
Major depressive disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Anorexia/bulimia disorder
Schizophrenia
Post-partum depression
Provide the following overview information and scenario completion.
reply 1
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is caused by a terrifying and/or traumatic event that occurred in someone’s life. (Diseases and Conditions 2022) It officially became a diagnosis in 1980 (PTSD: National Centers for PTSD: 2023)
“War neuroses” and “Shell Shock” were two of the first known names of conditions that most similarly matched today’s PTSD diagnosis. Many of the symptoms were the same and given that soldiers having been in war and violent situations were the victims, it can be assumed that these illnesses and PTSD are the same conditions. (PTSD: National Centers for PTSD: 2023)
The Mayo Clinic states that some of the symptoms of PTSD are or can be nightmares, anxiety, intrusive memories that can come up at any time, negative changes in mood and thought processes, and changes in the way someone physically and emotionally reacts to situations. Especially if those situations remind them of the event(s) that caused PTSD. (Diseases and Conditions 2022)
Treatments for PTSD will and can vary depending on the severity of the illness. APA.org lists their suggestions in two categories; strongly recommended and conditionally recommended. (Post-traumatic stress disorder 2020)
Strongly recommended treatments would be, Behavioral and Processing therapy, cognitive therapy, and prolonged exposure. (Post-traumatic stress disorder 2020)
Conditionally recommended treatments are Electric psychotherapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), and Medication. (Post-traumatic stress disorder 2020)
In 2020 thirteen million people were documented as having PTSD. That is approximately 5 in every 100 people in the United States having experienced something traumatic enough that it changed their mental well-being. (Forbes Health 2023)
The most common treatment for PTSD is psychotherapy and medication. Medications include Antidepressants, Anti-Anxiety, and Prazosin. (Mayo Clinic 2022)
The most severe side effects possible, listed by the National Library of Medicine, with Prazosin, are hypotension, floppy iris syndrome, priapism, and syncope. (National Library of Medicine 2023)
Scenario: You are a public health professional, and someone comes into your office displaying the symptoms of your chosen mental illness. What is your course of action to assist this person?
If a client is coming in to see me. is showing symptoms of PTSD I would greet them gently with a friendly hello, being sure to pay close attention to their body cues and facial gestures to be let on to if I’m causing any discomfort.
I would start with casual conversations asking them open-ended questions like: “How is your day going?” or “Did you do anything fun recently?”. I would also share my answers to the questions I ask to show this isn’t an interrogation. Once the ice has been broken, we can start to talk about deeper issues if they like, when they like, on their own time. I would do my best to access information for them as to where to turn to for help after asking them if they want help. I would then refer them to the proper professionals to handle their situation. In this process, I would ask them for their contact information and ask if it was okay if I checked in on them in the future to see if they need any additional help.
I think public health would serve its communities better if it brought a bigger spotlight to the symptoms of PTSD, the causes, and the treatments. Billboards, commercials, and Ads let people know what might be wrong with them and where they can turn to for help. Almost all of us are constantly holding technology in our hands that shows us multitudes of ads daily. Public Health should be taking up more of those spotlights to inform people and give direction to someone who might not otherwise know where to look for help.
reply 2
For this discussion, I chose post-partum depression.
Post-partum depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair following childbirth, and it can have profound impacts on both the mother and her family. Addressing post-partum depression is crucial not only for the well-being of the mother but also for the healthy development of the newborn and the overall family dynamics.
Scientific Name of Illness: Post-partum Depression (PPD)
Common Terms: Postnatal Depression, Post-partum Mood Disorder
Symptoms: Symptoms of depression after childbirth vary, and they can range from mild to severe. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks, changes in appetite, difficulty bonding with the baby, and thoughts of harming oneself or the baby.
Treatment Options: Therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medications: e.g., antidepressants and neurosteroids (such as Brexanolone, the first drug approved by the FDA for post-partum depression), and support groups (Cornett et al. 2021, Gopalan et al. 2022,).
Common Side Effects of Treatments: Medications may induce drowsiness, nausea, or sexual side effects. Engaging in therapy might initially intensify distress as challenging emotions are confronted. A notable treatment option, Brexanolone, entails an inpatient stay at a healthcare facility under clinician supervision, receiving the medication intravenously over 60 hours; due to this requirement, the treatment remains relatively inaccessible on a broader scale.
Estimated Affected Population: Approximately 1 in 7 women, or about 15% of new mothers, are affected by post-partum depression (Kroska and Stowe, 2020).
As a public health professional encountering someone displaying symptoms of post-partum depression, my primary course of action would be to provide immediate support and assistance. I would approach the individual with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the challenges they may be facing and assuring them that help is available.
I would begin by asking open-ended questions to understand their experiences and emotions, such as “How have you been feeling since the birth of your baby?” and “What have been some of the biggest challenges for you during this time?” This approach allows the individual to express themselves freely and helps me gauge the severity of their symptoms.
In terms of services, public health can offer various resources, including referrals to mental health professionals, support groups for new mothers, educational materials about post-partum depression, and assistance in accessing community-based support services.
If the individual’s symptoms are severe or if they require specialized treatment beyond what I can provide, I would refer them to a mental health clinic or a healthcare provider specializing in post-partum depression. This could include a psychiatrist, psychologist, or obstetrician/gynecologist with experience in treating perinatal mental health issues.
Following up with the individual is crucial to ensure they receive the support they need and monitor their progress. I would schedule follow-up appointments to check their well-being, offer ongoing support and resources, and adjust the treatment plan based on their intervention response. Additionally, I encourage them to reach out if they experience any worsening symptoms or have any questions or concerns.
State the scientific name of illness and any “common” terms used to refer to the illness.
Explain the symptoms.
Explain the treatment options and common side effects of those treatments.
List the number of people estimated to be affected.
Identify the side effects associated with most common treatment method.
Scenario: You are a public health professional, and someone comes into your office displaying the symptoms of your chosen mental illness. What is your course of action to assist this person?
How would you speak to them?
What questions would you ask?
What services do you believe public health can offer?
Would you refer this person to another office and where?
How would you follow up with this individual?
