Homework: Assessing and Treating Patients with Bipolar Disorder- Psychopharmalogical Approaches to Treat Psychopathology
Bipolar disorder is a unique disorder that causes shifts in mood and energy, which results in depression and mania for patients. Proper diagnosis of this disorder is often a challenge for two reasons: I) patients often present as depressive or manic but may have both; and II) many symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to other disorders. Misdiagnosis is common, making it essential for you to have a deep understanding of the disorder's pathophysiology. For this Homework, as you examine the patient case study in this week's Learning Resources, consider how you might assess and treat patients presenting with bipolar disorder.
To prepare for this Homework:
1. Review this Learning Resources, including the Medication Resources indicated for this week.
2. Reflect on the psychopharmacologic treatments you might recommend for the assessment and treatment of patients requiring bipolar therapy.
Task: 5 pages
Examine Case Study: An Asian American Woman. Diagnosis-Bipolar Disorder. You will be asked to make three decisions concerning the medication to prescribe to this patient. Be sure to consider factors that might impact the patient's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
At each decision point, you should evaluate all options before selecting your decision and moving throughout the exercise. Before you make your decision, make sure that you have researched each option and that you evaluate the decision that you will select. Be sure to research each option using the primary literature.
Introduction to the case (1 page)
1. Briefly explain and summarize the case for this Homework. Be sure to include the specific patient factors that may impact your decision making when prescribing medication for this patient.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
1. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.