Chronic Depression | Case Study Analysis

Running head: case study
Case Study Analysis
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

Case study analysis1
Introduction
This assignment focuses on a case study of a patient who was diagnosed with
depression ten years ago and was suffering from back pain. He was admitted to the hospital
due to severe back pain, and chronic depression became an obstacle for the patient. The aim
of this assignment to analyse the medical condition, especially the mental health situation of
the patient. Major approaches for care plan and treatment of a mental health patient will be
discussed in this assignment. Ethical consideration and legal frameworks will be addressed
in this assignment. Patient’s family and community can be involved in the consultation and
referral. Depression can occur in any stage of life and affect the interests and preferences of
the individual’s life (World Health Organization., 2017). Depression can bring several issues
such as speech problems, alcohol and substance abuse and thoughts of self-destruction.
Numerous factors are responsible for depression in an individual; for example, loneliness and
isolation, lack of sense of purposes, health problems and different impairment.
Discussion
Identification and description of mental health issues of the patient
Mr William admitted to the hospital due to severe back pain. He was shifted to the
Emergency Department, and nurses observed that his back pain scored 9/10. The score
represented that the level of pain was severe or high rated. 10 years ago, he got an injury
during manual work, and that led him to the condition of unemployment. He was unable to
find a full-time job or work after that injury. He was suffered from depression since he was
injured and this affected both his health and mental condition. Health problems and physical
inability are some of those reasons for which depression can happen. Depression can cause
insomnia and low esteem, lack of hope and energy. Low mood and psychosocial addiction to
alcohol have been observed in Mr William. He suffered from agitation and mood disorders,

Case study analysis2
which are caused by regular and severe pain. Anxiety can be occurred due to chemical
imbalance, especially low levels of serotonin in the brain (Forrester et al., 2016).
Neurotransmitters between nerve cells and the brain can affect a person’s mood and overall
feelings (Jack, 2016). Difficulties in concentrating, short-term memory and agitation are the
reasons for depression in older adults. However, GP suggested him to visit a psychological
counsellor to resolve the problems of the patient. His alcoholic nature is affecting his health
and mood. The deterioration of mood can be observed in the patient as he has been drinking
quite heavily for some time. His wife was worried about frequent mood disorders and alcohol
abuse.
Identify and discuss the major approaches to the care and treatment
Mr William was diagnosed with low mood and depression with severe back pain.
Sertraline Hydrochloride is to treat depression, panic attack, and obsessive-compulsive
disorder and post-traumatic disorders in patients. As the patient was suffering from severe
back pain, the GP suggested him Endone, which is a painkiller. Alcohol withdrawal and
muscle spasms can be treated with Diazepam. This medication is used for the treatment of
anxiety and seizures as it can affect the chemicals of the brain. Diazepam consists of
benzodiazepine, which can influence unbalanced people with anxiety (O’Connor et al.,
2016). Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitors, which decrease the amount of acid in the
stomach (Alolabi & Liem, 2019). Pain assessment has been suggested to the patient, and he
took an excessive amount of Valium or painkiller.
Registered nurses of the hospital can execute different treatments and care plan
approach. Counselling is part of the treatment procedure suggested by the GP. Non-
pharmacological pain management can be applied to Mr William for example comfort
therapy, physical and occupational therapy, psychological therapy or counselling and neuro-

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stimulation. If pain is not treated, some psychological disturbances and difficulties can be
observed in the patient. Non-pharmacological approaches help people to take control over
their pain. Non-pharmacological and non-opioid treatments are effective on the chronic pain.
Both psychological and clinical treatment are considered as beneficial for pain management
of patients with chronic pain. Reasons for the pain management can be analysed during the
non-pharmacological approaches. Physical exercises such as isometric exercise for lower
back pain, lumber rehabilitation exercise program, chronic mechanical pain management for
lower back pain are effective(Mazyarkin et al., 2019). RICE methods are explained as Rest,
Ice, Compression and Elevation method. This method can be applied on the chronic pain
management or any injury related pain under control. Progressive muscle relaxation helps to
decrease blood pressure and muscle tension in patients. This muscle relaxation technique will
help in body’s requirement for oxygen and reducing fatigue with anxiety (Amini et al., 2016).
Tensed muscle will send stimulus that the body is stressed. Muscle relaxation can help to
reduce anxiety and low mood of patients with back pain. This method can help the patients to
reduce pain and increase sleep.
Pharmacological method
Antidepressants medications are included in pharmacological treatment or approach.
Medication can combat episodes of moderate to severe depression. Medication should be
taken within the proper period. The antidepressants may have side effects, and some people
can be affected by these medicines. These medicines are usually used for restoring the
balance of neuro-regulating amines by blocking and reuptake in the brain. Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors can be used in the pharmacological method of Mr William’s treatment.
The prescribed antidepressants for the patient were Sertraline Hydrochloride, Endone and
Diazepam or Valium. Sertraline Hydrochloride is an antidepressant, which comes under the
group of SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. This group of drugs are used to