Mental Health Case Study: Impact of Depression and Treatment Options

This case study focuses on a 37-year-old woman experiencing depression following the loss of her mother. The patient exhibits symptoms such as suicidal ideation, decreased appetite, poor sleep, lack of motivation, and agitation. The analysis highlights the potential contributing factors, including family history and loss of loved ones, and discusses diagnostic tools like the DSM V and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The case study further explores the impact of depression on family members, including reduced interactions and financial stress, as well as the broader societal burden. References to relevant research articles are provided to support the analysis and understanding of the condition.

Running head: JOURNAL HEALTH OF MENTAL HEALTH
JOURNAL HEALTH OF MENTAL HEALTH
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

Journal entry:
Case study:
Miss X is a 37 years old woman who is working in a business firm as personal assistance.
Her mother recently died due to cancer which affected her severely. She is suffering from mental
illness for the last few months. She has been exhibiting suicidal ideation, decreased appetite,
hopeless poor sleep pattern, lack of motivation and agitation. After the death of her mother, she
started involved in frequent alcohol consumption at night. She started exhibiting frequent
anxiety, withdrawal from social interactions mostly locked herself in the room. She started
taking frequent leaves, stop talking to her father and partners.
Symptoms and diagnosis:
As observed in the case study, the patient is exhibiting suicidal ideation, decreased
appetite, hopeless poor sleep pattern, lack of motivation and agitation. These symptoms are
common in a major depressive disorder where the contributing factors include family history,
early childhood trauma and loss of a loved ones (Fried et al., 2016). In this context, the loss of
loved ones can be one of the contributing factors behind the development of depression. The
common diagnosis of the depression includes mini-mental state, depression testing with the
questionnaire, DSM V, back depression inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Fried
et al., 2016).
Impact on the family members and the society at large:
Her depression impacted her family members as she reduced interactions with her father
and partner which render them helpless and it reduced positive relationship with her father and
partner. The financial stress is another impact as a result of reduced income (Johnston et al.,

2019). Moreover, the substantial economic burden imposed on society due to depression. The
community relationship can be affected due to depression.

References:
Fried, E. I., Epskamp, S., Nesse, R. M., Tuerlinckx, F., & Borsboom, D. (2016). What
are'good'depression symptoms? Comparing the centrality of DSM and non-DSM
symptoms of depression in a network analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 189, 314-
320.
Johnston, D. A., Harvey, S. B., Glozier, N., Calvo, R. A., Christensen, H., & Deady, M. (2019).
The relationship between depression symptoms, absenteeism and presenteeism. Journal
of affective disorders, 256, 536-540.