Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care
Prof. Name
Date
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is among the widespread psychological illnesses. As reported by the World Health Organization, over 264 million individuals are affected by MDD globally (Elias et al., 2022). It is characterized as a heterogeneous disorder. MDD is diagnosed when an individual experience a combination of depressive symptoms over two weeks. These signs include constant sadness, loss of enthusiasm, fluctuations in body weight, decreased vitality, difficulty performing everyday tasks, and disturbances in interpersonal relationships. Effective management of MDD involves addressing three core dimensions. It includes psychological, physiological, and pharmaceutical. This is collectively referred to as the 3Ps. This concept map applies the 3Ps agenda to a case study to enhance understanding of MDD and inform appropriate care strategies.
This case focuses on Ivy Jackson, a 61-year-old woman presenting with key indicators of MDD. Since her recent divorce three weeks ago, Ivy has been experiencing profound fatigue, disrupted sleep, emotional distress, and unintentional weight loss. She denies any thoughts of self-harm. Her poor nutrition and heightened anxiety impair her ability to manage daily responsibilities. Ivy is currently receiving treatment for hypertension. Her family history is notable for both depression and high blood pressure. This affects her mother, father, brother, and sister. Ivy’s reported symptoms and clinical presentation support a preliminary diagnosis of MDD. This manifests with both psychological and physical effects. Additional details and context for Ivy’s case can be found in the Sentinel-U case study provided in the Appendix
MDD is a mental illness that impacts both mental and physical health. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates mental support, medical evaluation, and pharmacological treatment. Utilizing the 3Ps framework enables clinicians to deliver personalized, evidence-informed care tailored to each patient’s unique situation. Healthcare professionals can facilitate meaningful recovery, promote functional improvement, and enhance quality of life for individuals like Ivy Jackson.
Elias, E., Zhang, A. Y., & Manners, M. T. (2022). Novel pharmacological approaches to the treatment of depression. Life, 12(2), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020196
Kamran, M., Bibi, F., Rehman, A. U, & Morris, D. W. (2022). Major depressive disorder: Existing hypotheses about pathophysiological mechanisms and new genetic findings. Genes, 13(4), 646. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13040646
Ma, S., Yang, J., Yang, B., Kang, L., Wang, P., Zhang, N., Wang, W., Zong, X., Wang, Y., Bai, H., Guo, Q., Yao, L., Fang, L., & Liu, Z. (2021). The patient health questionnaire-9 vs. the Hamilton rating scale for depression in assessing major depressive disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.747139
Marx, W., Manger, S. H., Blencowe, M., Murray, G., Ho, F. Y.-Y., Lawn, S., Blumenthal, J. A., Schuch, F., Stubbs, B., Ruusunen, A., & Desyibelew, H. D. (2022). Clinical guidelines for the use of lifestyle-based mental health care in major depressive disorder: World Federation of Societies for Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM) taskforce. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 24(5), 333-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/15622975.2022.2112074
