Bipolar Disorder and Anticonvulsant/Mood-Stabilizing Medications

Mental health professionals are aware of tendencies and respond to behaviors such as impulsivity in order to create treatment plans that are intended to
prevent or ameliorate symptoms before lasting consequences occur. Although mental health professionals should follow established protocols by
attempting to have clients act on their own behalf, they should also understand that at any time they might need to intervene to support and assist these
clients.
Select one of the following disorders treated with anticonvulsant/mood-stabilizing medications:
A. Schizoaffective disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder
C. Bipolar II disorder
Review the READINGS and create a hypothetical case study of a client with the selected disorder. Include the client’s age, gender, major presenting factors
(including losses and symptom manifestation), when symptoms emerged, and any other pertinent information. Consider possible medicinal treatments that
a psychiatrist might prescribe for the hypothetical client and the role of the mental health professional in these treatment cases. Be creative in your
descriiption but also be as realistic as possible. Access the DSM-5 and other texts to construct the background story for your hypothetical client’s
presentation.
BE SURE TO SUPPORT YOUR PAPER WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCES FROM READINGS.
READINGS:
Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Chapter 3, “Pharmacotherapy of Bipolar Disorder” (pp. 37–47)
Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., Talaga, M. C., & Moore, B. A. (2021). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (9th ed.). New Harbinger.
Chapter 8, “Bipolar Disorders” (pp. 43-47)
Chapter 18, “Bipolar Medications” (pp. 82-87)
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association,
2013.
Use the DSM-5 to guide you through your understanding of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Highlights of changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-5. Retrieved from
http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf
As you review this document, consider the changes to depression disorders, specifically bipolar disorder. Focus on the diagnostic criteria presented.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2015). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

Sample Solution