Week 4: Mood Disorders in Adults
I am finally doing everything right. I stayed up all night studying for my final exams and even managed to
clean out my closet and order a whole new bedroom from the internet. I know I will ace all my exams.
Nothing can go wrong like they did a few months ago. I was so low and was sleeping all the time. I did
not think I would ever be happy again, but now I know I can do anything.
—Jessica, age 22
Patients presenting with mood disorders may find that their moods impact their ability to function or
that their moods are not consistent with their circumstances. Bipolar and related disorders are one
category of mood disorders. They affect nearly 3% of the U.S. population each year (Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance, n.d.). Although being relatively rare in terms of lifetime prevalence, bipolar
disorder is burdensome to the individual and health care system because of its early onset, severity, and
chronic nature. The average age of onset is around 25 and it affects men and women equally.
The importance of evidence-based intervention for treatment in persons with mood disorders cannot be
underestimated. Unstable moods can result in repeat chronic hospitalizations and profound life
disruption. Mood disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide and can contribute to suicide
(World Health Organization, 2020). Practitioners should understand that developing a good rapport and
relationship with the patient can make a significant difference in the course, symptom management, and
stability of the patient.
This week, you will assess, diagnose, and develop appropriate treatment plans for adults presenting with
mood disorders.
Reference:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (n.d.). Bipolar disorder statistics. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-statistics/#
World Health Organization. (2020). Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Assess adults presenting with mood disorders
Develop differential diagnoses for adult patients with mood disorders
Develop appropriate treatment plans for adult patients with mood disorders
Advocate health promotion and patient education strategies for adult patients with mood
disorders
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
, Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2015). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters
Kluwer.
Chapter 8, “Mood Disorders”
Zakhari, R. (2020). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual. Springer.
Chapter 11, “Mood Disorders”
Document: Focused SOAP Note Template
Document: Focused SOAP Note Exemplar
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
CrashCourse. (2014, September 8). Depressive and bipolar disorders: Crash course psychology #30
[Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ZwMlHkWKDwM https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZwMlHkWKDwM&t=1s
Walden University. (2021). Case study: Petunia Park. Walden University Blackboard.
https://class.waldenu.edu
Accessible player
Medication Review
Review the FDA approved use of the following medicines related to treating mood disorders.
I am finally doing everything right. I stayed up all night studying for my final exams and even managed to
clean out my closet and order a whole new bedroom from the internet. I know I will ace all my exams.
Nothing can go wrong like they did a few months ago. I was so low and was sleeping all the time. I did
not think I would ever be happy again, but now I know I can do anything.
—Jessica, age 22
Patients presenting with mood disorders may find that their moods impact their ability to function or
that their moods are not consistent with their circumstances. Bipolar and related disorders are one
category of mood disorders. They affect nearly 3% of the U.S. population each year (Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance, n.d.). Although being relatively rare in terms of lifetime prevalence, bipolar
disorder is burdensome to the individual and health care system because of its early onset, severity, and
chronic nature. The average age of onset is around 25 and it affects men and women equally.
The importance of evidence-based intervention for treatment in persons with mood disorders cannot be
underestimated. Unstable moods can result in repeat chronic hospitalizations and profound life
disruption. Mood disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide and can contribute to suicide
(World Health Organization, 2020). Practitioners should understand that developing a good rapport and
relationship with the patient can make a significant difference in the course, symptom management, and
stability of the patient.
This week, you will assess, diagnose, and develop appropriate treatment plans for adults presenting with
mood disorders.
Reference:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (n.d.). Bipolar disorder statistics. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-statistics/#
World Health Organization. (2020). Depression. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Assess adults presenting with mood disorders
Develop differential diagnoses for adult patients with mood disorders
Develop appropriate treatment plans for adult patients with mood disorders
Advocate health promotion and patient education strategies for adult patients with mood
disorders
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
, Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2015). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters
Kluwer.
Chapter 8, “Mood Disorders”
Zakhari, R. (2020). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual. Springer.
Chapter 11, “Mood Disorders”
Document: Focused SOAP Note Template
Document: Focused SOAP Note Exemplar
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
CrashCourse. (2014, September 8). Depressive and bipolar disorders: Crash course psychology #30
[Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ZwMlHkWKDwM https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZwMlHkWKDwM&t=1s
Walden University. (2021). Case study: Petunia Park. Walden University Blackboard.
https://class.waldenu.edu
Accessible player
Medication Review
Review the FDA approved use of the following medicines related to treating mood disorders.
