10 Jan SOCW 6443 –Psychopharmacology and Bio-psychosocial Considerations for Social Workers
Discussion: Treating Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety levels range dramatically from individual to individual and from situation to situation. To illustrate the spectrum of normal to psychopathological anxiety, consider the fear of dogs. Many people are reasonably cautious when encountering an unfamiliar dog, rationalizing that the animal has some potential to inflict injury and will therefore not approach an unattended dog. However, some people avoid even the possibility of encountering a dog by never leaving their homes. In addition, some people may turn to available substances, such as alcohol, to self-medicate to overcome their fear, creating the potential for developing a comorbid addictive disorder. In short, anxiety disorders present a complex range of challenges for the mental health professional and require a multifaceted approach in creating treatment strategies.
For this Discussion, view the media case studies “Anxiety Disorder Case Study: Willy” and “Anxiety Disorder Case Study: June.” Select one case study and consider the general challenges in assessment, differential diagnosis, and use of psychopharmacological treatment for the symptoms demonstrated. Think about the uses and benefits of anxiolytic medications in the treatment of panic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety.
By Day 3 (please complete each paragraph with questions and response to the questions).
Post the challenges of treating the anxiety disorder of the client you selected. Then describe at least three potential anxiolytic medications that may be effective in treating this client and explain the potential addiction risk of each. Explain how this information might influence a mental health professional’s approach to counseling this client. Finally, explain the role of the mental health professional in communicating concerns to other health care professionals.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.
Be sure to support your responses with specific references to the to the Learning resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references both within the text and on the referencing section. PLEASE ALWAYS INCLUDE THE REQIRED TEXTBOOK as part of the references and if possible some of the REQUIRED READING if applicable. Please always start by referring to THE TEXTBOOK, below
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Psychopharmacology Demystified 2011
Author: Lichtblau, Leonard
ISBN-13:
ISBN-10:
Edition/Copyright: 2011
Publisher: Cengage Learning
REQUIRED
Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists 8TH 17
Author: Preston, John D.
ISBN-13: 978-1-62625-927-0
ISBN-10: 1-62625-927-5
Edition/Copyright: 8TH 17
Publisher: New Harbinger Pub.(cc)
Learning Resources
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
• Chapter 6, “Anxiolytic-Sedative-Hypnotic Drug Pharmacotherapy” (pp. 77–84)
Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Chapter 9, “Anxiety Disorders” (pp. 107-122)
• Chapter 12, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” (pp. 137-144)
• Chapter 18, “Antianxiety Medication” (pp. 217-226)
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
Use the DSM-5 to guide you through your understanding of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Highlights of changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-5. Retrieved from http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf
As you review this document, consider the changes to the diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012c). Anxiety disorder case study: Willy: Post traumatic stress disorder [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
As you review this media program, consider the diagnosis posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the case study. Focus on the challenges of treating Willy’s anxiety disorder.
Accessible player
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012a). Anxiety disorder case study: June: Panic disorder with agoraphobia [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
As you review this media program, consider the diagnosis panic disorder with agoraphobia in the case study. Focus on the challenges of treating June’s anxiety disorder.
Accessible player
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012b). Anxiety disorder case study: Mary: Generalized anxiety disorder [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
As you review this media program, consider the diagnosis generalized anxiety disorder. Focus on a treatment strategy for this case study as you assume the role of the mental health professional for this case.
Accessible player
Optional Resources
MSW home page
Use this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.
