Running head: Week Seven Discussion
Week Seven Discussion
Volume 2, Case #11: The Figment of a Man Who Looked Upon the
Lady Name
Walden University
Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of
Psychopathology
Date
, Running head: Week Seven Discussion
Three Questions
The questions that I would ask before initiating any further medications are:
1. What do you believe is the most important to treat first, depression or PTSD?
This question is fundamental to creating a treatment plan that addresses the most
important concerns for the patient’s lifestyle. Involving the patient in the plan of care gives
them a sense of control. Many medications treat both PTSD and depression. Finding the
right medication to control specific symptoms is important.
"Only SSRIs and SNRIs have provided significant benefit in PTSD, according to the
guidelines. Moreover, few published trials have demonstrated the superiority of paroxetine
over placebo in managing the three symptom clusters of PTSD.”[Ale12]. Alexander, 2012,
also states that there are other agents used off-label to treat PTSD. “Although SSRIs are
associated with an overall response rate of approximately 60% in patients with PTSD, only
20% to 30% of patients achieve complete remission”. However, it may be likely that the
best treatment will provide treatment for both conditions.
2. What symptoms are the most disruptive or irritating to you?
“SSRIs affect the neurotransmitter serotonin primarily, which is important in regulating
mood, anxiety, appetite, sleep, and other bodily functions” (Alexander, 2012). The patient
may mistake symptoms of one condition as the symptoms of the other one. Describing the
symptoms that are bothersome allows the healthcare provider to narrow down which
condition has the most impact on the patient. Overlapping symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and
depression, include: avoidance, fatigue, panic, insomnia, hopelessness, sadness, anhedonia
(emotional numbing), guilt, indecisiveness, anger, overeating, nightmares, palpitations,
Week Seven Discussion
Volume 2, Case #11: The Figment of a Man Who Looked Upon the
Lady Name
Walden University
Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of
Psychopathology
Date
, Running head: Week Seven Discussion
Three Questions
The questions that I would ask before initiating any further medications are:
1. What do you believe is the most important to treat first, depression or PTSD?
This question is fundamental to creating a treatment plan that addresses the most
important concerns for the patient’s lifestyle. Involving the patient in the plan of care gives
them a sense of control. Many medications treat both PTSD and depression. Finding the
right medication to control specific symptoms is important.
"Only SSRIs and SNRIs have provided significant benefit in PTSD, according to the
guidelines. Moreover, few published trials have demonstrated the superiority of paroxetine
over placebo in managing the three symptom clusters of PTSD.”[Ale12]. Alexander, 2012,
also states that there are other agents used off-label to treat PTSD. “Although SSRIs are
associated with an overall response rate of approximately 60% in patients with PTSD, only
20% to 30% of patients achieve complete remission”. However, it may be likely that the
best treatment will provide treatment for both conditions.
2. What symptoms are the most disruptive or irritating to you?
“SSRIs affect the neurotransmitter serotonin primarily, which is important in regulating
mood, anxiety, appetite, sleep, and other bodily functions” (Alexander, 2012). The patient
may mistake symptoms of one condition as the symptoms of the other one. Describing the
symptoms that are bothersome allows the healthcare provider to narrow down which
condition has the most impact on the patient. Overlapping symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and
depression, include: avoidance, fatigue, panic, insomnia, hopelessness, sadness, anhedonia
(emotional numbing), guilt, indecisiveness, anger, overeating, nightmares, palpitations,
