Patient Medication Guide
Week 4 – Assessing and Treating Vulnerable Populations for Depressive Disorders
For this assignment, you will develop a patient medication guide for treatment of depressive disorders in a vulnerable population (your choice for one vulnerable patient population to choose from: children, adolescents, older adults, dementia patients, pregnant women or one not listed of your choice!). Be sure to use language appropriate for your audience (patient, caregiver, parent, etc.). You will include non-copyright images and/or information tables to make your patient medication guide interesting and appealing. Limit your patient medication guide to 5 pages. You will create this guide as an assignment; therefore, a title page, introduction, conclusion, and reference page are required. You must include a minimum of 3 scholarly supporting resources outside of your course provided resources.
In your patient guide, include discussion on the following:
- Depressive disorder causes and symptoms
- How depression is diagnosed for the vulnerable population of your choice, why is this population considered vulnerable
- Medication treatment options including risk vs benefits; side effects; FDA approvals for the vulnerable population of your choice
- Medication considerations of medication examples prescribed (see last bullet item)
- What is important to monitor in terms of labs, comorbid medical issues with why important for monitoring
- Special Considerations (you must be specific, not general and address at least one for EACH category; you must demonstrate critical thinking beyond basics of HIPPA and informed consent!): legal considerations, ethical considerations, cultural considerations, social determinants of health
- Where to follow up in your local community for further information
Depressive disorders are mental health conditions that are characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. These feelings can interfere with a person’s daily life and functioning. There are several possible causes of depressive disorders, including genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors such as stress or trauma.
Symptoms of a depressive disorder may include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
One vulnerable population that may be at higher risk for depression is older adults. This population may be considered vulnerable due to age-related physical and cognitive changes, as well as social isolation and a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. Depression in older adults may be difficult to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions, and may be missed or misdiagnosed if not properly assessed.
Medication treatment options for depression in older adults may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications work by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that are thought to play a role in mood regulation. Common side effects of these medications may include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and sexual dysfunction.
It is important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of medication treatment for depression in older adults, as well as any potential side effects. The FDA has approved several medications for the treatment of depression in older adults, including fluoxetine (Prozac) and venlafaxine (Effexor). However, it is important to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on individual needs and circumstances.
Medication considerations for older adults may include potential interactions with other medications that the person is taking, as well as any underlying health conditions. It is important to carefully review the list of potential side effects and contraindications with a healthcare provider before starting any medication. It is also important to monitor for any changes in symptoms or side effects and to report any concerns to a healthcare provider.