Psychoeducational Tool: The Client Handout

Sharron Chambers

Psychiatric Diagnosis

Psychopathology PSY 645

Dr. Jennifer Weniger

October 23, 2017

Psychiatric Diagnosis

Explain psychological concepts in the patient’s presentation using professional terminology.

Brain and behavior are the psychological concepts used by the patient. The concept of the brain is related to the ability of the brain function to affect the sleeping routine and norms of a person (Kennedy, 2013). When it comes to the behaviors, it is apparent that the symptoms have changed the behaviors of the person in one way or another.

Identify symptoms and behaviors exhibited by the patient in the chosen case study.

a) Lack of sleep

b) Weakness

c) Daytime fatigue

d) Neck weakness

Match the identified symptoms to potential disorders in a diagnostic manual.

a) Lack of sleep control

Lack of sleep is one of the symptoms depicted by the patient. Lack of sleep is directly related to sleeping disorder regardless of the cause.

b) Weakness

Weakness is one of the symptoms that the patient talks about. When the body is not given enough rest, it becomes weak. The body needs time to convert what it has to energy (Kennedy, 2013). The activities that human beings engage in usually exhaust the body and it is therefore important to give the body a rest. Lack of sleep hinders one from giving the body a rest thus affecting the conversion of energy which leads to a weak body.

c) Neck weakness

The neck of a human being plays a pivotal role. When the body is not given enough rest, the neck becomes weak (Kennedy, 2013). Therefore, looking at the symptoms, it is apparent that they are connected to a sleeping disorder.

d) Daytime fatigue

A human being should sleep at night for him or her to be productive at during the day. When he or she does not do so, it is apparent that the body will not be in a good position to be effective.

Propose a diagnosis based on the patient’s symptoms and the criteria listed for the disorder(s) in the diagnostic manual.

Before conducting a diagnosis, it is important to know what the patient is suffering from. The reason why there is a conversation as well a session between the patient and the doctor is for the patient to explain the symptoms of his or her condition (Kennedy, 2013). Explaining the conditions helps the doctor to relate the symptoms to a potential illness or condition. By looking at the symptoms provided by the patient, in this case, it is apparent that the patient is suffering from a sleeping disorder. Therefore, the diagnosis that will take place, in this case, will be in line with the sleeping disorder. The following diagnosis will be the most effective for a sleeping disorder.

a) Polysomnography

Polysomnography is a test that is one of the most effective diagnosis strategies when it comes to sleeping disorders. The test is effective because of three different reasons. The first reason is that the test tries to look at body oxygen levels. The body of a human being must get enough oxygen for it to be fully functional. Failure to that, the person undergoes difficulties in his or her day to day activities.

The second reason; the test looks at the body movements of the person. The body movements affect the functions of the patient. When the functions of the body are affected by the body movement, it is easy for the person to experience a sleeping disorder. Thirdly, the test also looks at the brain waves (Nathan & Gorman, 2015). The activities of the human brain affect the sleeping order of a human being and therefore, in the case of any problem in the brain, then that might be one of the causes of the condition. One of the most outstanding characteristics of the diagnosis is that it relates the three different tests to the problem of the patient. With this in mind, it is apparent that it would be difficult to miss the cause of the disorder.

Analyze and explain how the patient meets criteria for the disorder(s) according to the patient’s symptoms and the criteria outlined in the diagnostic manual.

In the medical field, a diagnosis is supposed to lead the doctor to the specific illness or disorder that the patient is struggling with. However, it is paramount to know that some symptoms are common in many diseases (Nathan & Gorman, 2015). For example, a person experiencing body weaknesses might be suffering from fatigue, stress and so forth. Therefore, the need to look at more than just one symptom comes in handy. In the case of the patient, there was more than one symptom which indicated that the patient might be suffering from the disorder. The patient experienced irregular sleeping patterns, weakness, and fatigue. By looking at the symptoms, it is apparent that their unison in the same patient showed that the patient was possibly suffering from a sleeping disorder.

Justify the use of the chosen diagnostic manual (i.e., Why was this manual chosen over others?).

The manual has been used by the others for one good reason, and that is its inclusion of different and effective test methods (Nathan & Gorman, 2015). Other methods are effective but not as diverse as the chosen one. When a diagnosis method involves different tests, it is apparent that its possibilities of failing are slim. With this in mind, it is wise to use is if one is interested in acquiring results which cannot be questioned.

Summarize general views of the diagnosis from multiple theoretical orientations and historical perspectives. Include a discussion on comorbidity if the diagnosis includes more than one disorder.

The diagnosis looks includes the tests of three different functions of the body. A sleeping disorder can sometimes be caused by another disorder. It is therefore important to utilize more than one test. Looking at the diagnosis, it is apparent that it is not only able to detect the sleeping disorder, but through the simultaneous tests, it can detect any other condition that a patient may be suffering from (Nathan & Gorman, 2015). For example, by using the oxygen level tests in the body, one can identify any other condition that may be related to the blood circulation system or the functions of the heart. Therefore, the diagnosis selected can deal with more than one disorder.

Evaluate symptoms within the context of an appropriate theoretical orientation for this diagnosis

The symptoms depicted and explained by the patient were influenced by behaviors and beliefs to a certain extent. Looking at the way the patient presented the case to the doctor, it is apparent that he believed that he was going through a more serious problem (Nathan & Gorman, 2015). The symptoms led to the patient opening up, and it is therefore clear that the patient believed that he needed some help.

Use at least two peer-reviewed articles to assess the validity of this diagnosis, and describe who is most likely to have the diagnosis

Overnight Polysomnography versus Respiratory Polygraphy in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The validity of the diagnosis seems to be unquestionable. The diagnosis can be used on any given patient (Tan et al. 2014). However, it is only used when the case of the patient proves to be getting serious, and other diagnosis strategies are not effective in identifying a disorder. When it comes to sex or social class, it is apparent that the diagnosis is effective and not selective. There are some public hospitals which use the diagnosis, and some of them do not charge a lot, and that eliminates the financial barrier.

Polysomnography in Australia—Trends in Provision

When a nation utilizes a specific method of treatment, it is apparent that the method is valid. The diagnosis is one of the most effective diagnoses when it comes to the issue of mental problems (Marshall et al. 2007). The diagnosis is not selective as well because it can be used to determine the case of any person with the symptoms that might be depicting a mental disorder.

Provide a brief evaluation of the scientific merit of these peer-reviewed sources in the validity assessment.

The two articles have different scientific merits. When it comes to the first article, it has not only talked about the diagnosis, but it has compared the diagnosis with another method. In science, a comparison is one of the aspects that help the researchers to identify the most effective results. It is apparent that the results of comparison try to show the best method that should be used and knowing the best helps in eliminating a clinical threat. The healthcare practitioners rely on the findings made by the researchers.

The first article highlights the merits of using the diagnosis. Therefore, the article has a scientific merit of being more informative and helpful to the healthcare practitioners. When it comes to the second article, there are numerous scientific merits (Mindell & Owens, 2015). One of the merits is related to the trend of the diagnosis. The authors have stated the trends of the diagnosis in Australia. By so doing, one can know how regularly the diagnosis is utilized.

When a method or diagnosis is rarely utilized, it is apparent that it might be expensive or not effective like the others (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, when the trend shows that the diagnosis is regularly used, it is apparent that the diagnosis is favorable as compared to others. With such findings, one is helped to make the suitable choice when it comes to utilizing the diagnosis. In healthcare, the information about the performance of a specific method is significant. The reason behind it is that the knowledge does not only guide the healthcare practitioners, but it also guides the researchers on how to make the diagnosis better or to identify a better alternative.

Summarize the risk factors

Research shows that there are numerous and dangerous risks associated with the diagnosis. The reason behind it is the way the diagnosis is carried out (Mindell & Owens, 2015). The diagnosis is painless. The only risk is associated with the process of attaching the test sensors to the skin. The skin becomes itchy though it is a condition that does not last a long time.

Compare evidence-based and non-evidence-based treatment options for the diagnosis.

Evidence-based treatment for the disorder involves activities and medications which help in making the condition of the patient better. Some of the methods of treatment are having enough sleep, avoiding stressful chores as well as interactions, having a continuous sleeping plan, and relaxing before sleeping (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Some of the non-evidence treatment methods are sleeping with the lights off, avoiding a noisy environment, not eating a lot before sleep and avoiding frightening movies before sleep. Looking at the two types of treatments, it is apparent that both offer a solution to the problem.

Evaluate well-established treatments for the diagnosis, and describe the likelihood of success or possible outcomes for each treatment.

a) Programmed sleep

When one has fixed, and programmed time to sleep and wake up, it becomes easy to get enough and uninterrupted sleep, and that eliminates the problem (Sheldon et al. 2014). With this in mind, it is apparent that the treatment is effective.

b) Avoiding stress

Stress is one of the causes of the sleeping disorder. Dealing with the cause is the most appropriate way of eliminating a problem.

Annotated Bibliography

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.

American Psychiatric Association emphasizes the need to first diagnose a condition before authorizing or advice of any form of treatment. The source is of help to the practitioners in the healthcare sector because it gives them more insight on what to do in the case of a person who approaches them with a mental disorder. When it comes to the patients, the source has a scientific importance of informing the patients more about the effective diagnosis and the need to seek medical help before taking any medication or choosing to use any form of treatment.

Kennedy, P. G. (2013). Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of African human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). The Lancet Neurology, 12(2), 186-194.

The author does not only focus on the problem but also focuses on how to identify the problem. As a result, it becomes easier for the patients to observe and notice if they are suffering from the problem or not thus having an impact on the population health.

Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2015). A clinical guide to pediatric sleep: diagnosis and management of sleep problems. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

The source has two significant and helpful scientific merits. The first merit is associated with talking more about sleep disorders where the authors try to explain what it is and the possible causes. The second merit is related to dealing with the problem where the authors try to explain to the patients how they can deal with the problem and contain it at its earliest stage.

Nathan, P. E., & Gorman, J. M. (Eds.). (2015). A guide to treatments that work. Oxford University Press.

The scientific merit of the source is the way the author highlights most of the treatments used in the disorders and analyzes them one by one. By analyzing the treatments, it becomes easier for the healthcare practitioners as well as the patients to identify some of the most effective methods of treatment. Therefore, it is apparent that the source helps in awareness as well as enhanced ability to identify and choose the most effective treatment methods.

Sheldon, S. H., Kryger, M. H., Ferber, R., & Gozal, D. (2014). Principles and Practice of Pediatric Sleep Medicine E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

The source is beneficial mostly to the healthcare practitioners. The authors try to expound on the sleeping disorder from different aspects. The source helps the healthcare practitioners to have a better understanding on how the issue of a sleeping disorder can be dealt with both at the hospital and in the lives of the patients who might be affected.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.

Kennedy, P. G. (2013). Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of African human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). The Lancet Neurology, 12(2), 186-194.

Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2015). A clinical guide to pediatric sleep: diagnosis and management of sleep problems. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Nathan, P. E., & Gorman, J. M. (Eds.). (2015). A guide to treatments that work. Oxford University Press.

Sheldon, S. H., Kryger, M. H., Ferber, R., & Gozal, D. (2014). Principles and Practice of Pediatric Sleep Medicine E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Tan, H., Gozal, D., Ramirez, H., Bandla, H., & Gozal, L. (2014). Overnight Polysomnography versus Respiratory Polygraphy in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea. NCBI. 37(2): 255-260.

Marshall, N., Wilsmore, B., McEvoy, R., Wheatley, J., Dodd, M., & Grunstein, R. (2007). Polysomnography in Australia—Trends in Provision. NCBI. 3(3): 281-284.