Psychology Case Study: Buddy King's Depression and Treatment

This report presents a detailed case study of Buddy King, a 28-year-old aboriginal man suffering from depression. The study explores his client history, including family history of mood disorders and past manic episodes, and identifies key presenting symptoms such as lack of energy, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts. The report then provides a provisional diagnosis based on these symptoms, along with a discussion of differential diagnoses, including bipolar disorder. The main body of the report delves into various psychosocial treatments, such as psychotherapy, antidepressants, exercise, and interpersonal therapy, considering their effectiveness in Buddy King's case. The report emphasizes the importance of early intervention and the application of DSM-5 criteria in identifying and treating major depressive disorders. Overall, the study highlights the significance of understanding both the biological and psychosocial factors contributing to depression and the importance of tailored treatment approaches for effective patient care.

Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Client history..........................................................................................................................1
Summary of presenting symptoms.........................................................................................2
Provisional diagnosis..............................................................................................................2
Differential diagnosis.............................................................................................................3
Psychosocial treatment...........................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Psychology refers scientific study of human mind as well as their functions in order to identify
changes in their behaviour and also identifying problems Niedenthal & Ric, (2017). This present
study is based on Buddy’s case in which he is suffering from depression and requires appropriate
differentiate diagnosis as early intervention. This present study is going to show importance of
identifying history of patents and presenting symptoms as it helps doctors and psychologists in
giving the best treatment to patient and helping out them in decreasing depression as well as
making them able to take participate in social activities. Further, it will discuss some differential
and appropriate diagnosis for Buddy king such as: antidepressants along with cognitive and
Positive psychotherapy, exercise, alternative therapies, social support, diet changes and others.
MAIN BODY
Client history
This is a case of Buddy king who is 28 year aboriginal man, works as a manager at local food,
suffering from depression. There are some symptoms of depression which clears that there is
requirement of early intervention such as: lack of energy, depressed mood, disturbance in sleep,
lack of interest in social activities, lack of interest in sexual relation, suicidal thoughts. In the
context of demographic and other factors it is found that before some years ago he had
experienced symptoms of depression due to family pressure, expectations and high concern
about career. He had also experienced a full manic episode which diminished his performance at
university and it increased his sexual desire. Due to this desire he caught with a naked 16 year
old girl in a vacant building and in the case of trespassing he got arrested. The morning after his
arrest he was taken to hospital for diagnosis of an acute manic episode and that time found that
he is suffering from depression World Health Organization. (2017). In addition, it is also found
that some family members of buddy’s also have mood disorders as well as history of
intergenerational trauma. His mother has bouts of depression; older brother had received
outpatient treatment for depression. So, overall it can be said that there is past clinical history and
genetic reasons of current depression of Buddy king.
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Summary of presenting symptoms
For providing better treatment and using better approaches to Buddy it is important to have
detailed information’s about causes and symptoms. After influencing by his wife for
appointment it is known that previously when Buddy was in university then there were some
symptoms of manic like irritable mood, exaggerated behaviours, and thoughts of competing
older brother for proving himself to parents, hyper-conscientious. Currently some noticeable
symptoms found which includes: difficulties in concentration, mood swings, depressed mood,
and lack of energy in performing functions, decreasing interest in social activities, lack of
interest in sexual relations, suicidal thoughts, future thinking or rumination about the future and
pessimistic views Jokela & et.al., (2016). So, from these all symptoms it can be said that Buddy
has bipolar disorders as it is a type of disorder which is characterized by periods of depression
and periods of mania.
Provisional diagnosis
From the symptoms and causes it is found that Buddy king has biological components, past
medical history of depression and feeling of not being able to do for parents as expected. Buddy
king is having suicidal thoughts and also lack of interest in social activities as well as sexual
relations with his wife which requires early intervention otherwise it may lead to severity.
Provision diagnosis includes all treatments which is being on the basis of lack of information and
in which doctor makes an educated guess about the most likely diagnosis appropriate to the
disease and symptoms Chaturvedi & et.al., (2017). Provisional psychologist can provide some
antidepressants to Buddy King. The most common and effective antidepressant Selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain and make
patient able to enjoy their normal life by decreasing negative effects of depression. But there are
some side effects which this antidepressant has such as: headache, insomnia, weight gain or loss.
But by providing and suggesting lower dose of this medicine to Buddy King, side effects can be
decreased and as a provisional diagnosis to depression it can work better.
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Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis means that there is more than 1 possibility of diagnosis. Doctors requires
identify and chose an appropriate or the actual diagnosis according to symptoms.
As per the DSM or major depressive disorder diagnosis is being assigned to people who feel
depressed and have lost interest in activities which they previously enjoyed and in the case of
Buddy king it can be said that he is losing interest in athlete activities so, it can be said that there
is requirement of DSM 5 diagnosis which includes:
Psychotherapy and antidepressants: It is considered one of the effective and vest treatment for
such patients. It is believed that patients who have lost interest in social activities and having
suicidal thoughts are more likely to recover if they receive Psychotherapy and antidepressants
altogether as compare to those who only receive psychotherapy separately. There are several
psychotherapies but cognitive behaviour and Positive psychotherapy is known as one of the
best and effective therapies and it can help out to Buddy king in decreasing depression Driessen
& et.al., (2020).
In these therapies, doctors and as a Provisional psychologist, they try to find out strengths of
patient and activities in which they can increase their interest by replaying positive experiences
and all Major Depressive Disorder DSM-5, (2020). So, in the case of Buddy it can be said that y
involving him in this therapy, his interest for athlete activities and to his work can be increased.
In addition, it can also be said that aerobic exercise is other main effective treatment as like
antidepressant medications as it makes patients feel motivated, refreshed and energetic. By
involving Buddy King in aerobic exercise, his interest and energy towards his work can be
increased and it is also found that exercise have long lasting positive effects on people Rosso &
et.al., (2019). Buddy King is mild depressive and all of these therapies and interventions can help
out him in becoming able to enjoy his life as he used to do.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation: It is found that Buddy King is at normal and early stage of
depression but sometimes he has suicidal thoughts which means then it is becoming worse and
for making patient able to involve in all therapies, this transcranial magnetic therapy can work
better. It is a noninvasive treatment that directs recurring magnetic energy pulses at the regions
of the brain that are involved in mood. It also helps patient in stimulating brain cells and also
improve communication between different parts of the brain Communication between different
parts of the brain plays an important role as it allows people in working their functions in a
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normal and effective manner and also reducing such suicidal and negative thoughts. It can also
make energetic to Buddy King which can increase his concentration on his work.
So, overall it can be said that all discussed therapies, medicines and antidepressants can help
Buddy king in living his normal life and also reducing depression in a timely manner.
Psychosocial treatment
It is found that there is genetic problems as various family members of Buddy King are suffering
and had medical history of depression. So, it is important to provide some effective treatments
and therapies accordingly.
Interpersonal therapy: It is a structural that focuses on problems patients have in personal
relationship or having thoughts of previous life such as Buddy King wanted to live a different
life than his all younger brothers and felt that he has to go the extra mile to measure up to his
older brother in his parents eyes. His parents used to think that Buddy is taking too much time in
completing degree and is not responsible towards family Kircanski & et.al., (2018).. So, by
providing this therapy, Buddy can be made able to recognize patterns in his relationship and by
focusing on these patterns he can improve his problem and can self motivate himself for living a
better and normal life.
Behaviour therapy: It is the major component of cognitive behaviour therapy but it focuses on
encouraging activities in which patient used to take interest and all those activities which are
rewarding. For buddy King it may be athlete activities and by making able to Buddy for taking
participation in such activities, negative effects of depression can be decreased. It is being given
to patient for reversing patterns of withdrawal and avoidance.
Conclusion
From the above study it has been summarized DSM 5 system played a vital role in
identifying major depressive criteria and also selecting appropriate treatments for patients with
mild to major depressive disorders. This study has shown importance of knowing symptoms for
providing better treatments to patients with depression. Further, this study has also discussed
importance of exercise and Psychotherapy in treating negative effects of depression and also
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making people able to live their normal life, increasing interest in social activities and all those
activities in which they used to enjoy.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Chaturvedi, S. & et.al., (2017). Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in survivors of
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Thrombosis research, 151, 51-56.
Driessen, E. & et.al., (2020). The efficacy of adding short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy to
antidepressants in the treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of
individual participant data. Clinical Psychology Review, 101886.
Jokela, M. & et.al., (2016). Inflammation and specific symptoms of depression. JAMA
psychiatry, 73(1), 87-88.
Kircanski, K. & et.al., (2018). Psychosocial treatment of irritability in youth. Current treatment
options in psychiatry, 5(1), 129-140.
Niedenthal, P. M., & Ric, F. (2017). Psychology of emotion. Psychology Press.
Rosso, G. & et.al., (2019). Five-year follow-up of first-episode depression treated with
psychodynamic psychotherapy or antidepressants. Psychiatry research, 275, 27-30.
World Health Organization. (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: global
health estimates (No. WHO/MSD/MER/2017.2). World Health Organization.
ONLINE
Major Depressive Disorder DSM-5. 2020. Online Available through: <
https://www.theravive.com/therapedia/major-depressive-disorder-dsm--5-296.20--
296.36-(icd--10--cm-multiple-codes)>
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