Major Depressive Disorder Assessment Strategies

Major Depressive perturb Assessment StrategiesIntroductionThe mental wellness problem that I have selected is Major Depressive Disorder.This can be recognized by low mood, low self-esteem and loss of pleasure in popular activities. This is known by many names such as clinical depression, unipolar depression and major depressive disorder. The symptoms interfere with all areas of a persons life- personal, social and economic and are experienced most days and have been present for at least two weeks. Depression can be expound as mild, moderate or severe melancholic or psychotic. (BeyondBlue, 2014)Depression has a high lifetime prevalence unrivalled in seven Australians leave experience depression in their lifetime. (ABS, 2009). Ranked 13.3%, depression has the third highest burden of all diseases in Australia (AIHW, 2007).Assessment FrameworkThe purpose of a conducting a clinical assessment is to gather information enabling the clinician to determine what is likely to be causing i mpairment in the exclusives functioning. I would develop a hypothesis and proceed to rule in/ rule out associated disorders while progressing through the process. Each individual case would require consideration for options regarding, interview, symptoms checklists and behavioral assessments. (Goldfinger Pomerantz, 2010)The incorporate process of assessment would includeFile Review Collateral InformationI would check the GP referral and conduct a file review, appraising historic information and copies of reports and notes from previous interviews. (Week2, Weekly Notes). I would also gather collateral information from significant others to assist in the overall assessment of the individualclinical AssessmentTo determine what symptoms the individual is presenting I would conduct a face-to-face initial interview. I would establish parameters of assessment (e.g. informed consent and confidentiality) and build resonance with the individual through the acceptance, understanding and r espect. (Phares Trull, 1997). This would enable the individual to feel comfortable and gain trust in the process. Groth-Marnat (2003) discuss the benefit of the face-to-face interview as enabling the clinician to make behavioural observations and note the idiosyncrasies and reaction to their current challenges and difficulties including the risk of harm to self and others. I would take note of the history of the presenting difficulties and note the onslaught of symptoms. I would also conduct a psychosocial evaluation. (Wright, 2011).Psychological Testing Selection, administration and interpretationA psychological test uses standardised materials, administration instructions, time limits and score procedures for all test takers.(Cohen et al, 1996). This step in the process would assess the individuals appearance, behaviour, speech, mood, thought processes, attention, memory and level of consciousness through the use of the psychogenic Status Examination (Daniel Crider, 2003). I would also assess the presence of symptoms consistent with symptomatic criteria for depression. As described in Wright (2011), to realize the hypothesis of depression I would use self-report, symptom focused measure such as Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) during the interview phase. In selecting the diagnostic tools I would review validated assessment tools in line with major international classification for depressive conditions such as DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Major Depressive Episode and Major Depressive Disorder (APA, 2000). I could use the manganese Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) to help develop treatment plans and unalikeial diagnosis (Butcher et al, 1989).A trained professional with the expertise in depressive disorders should administer, score and interpret the information. The analysis of test scores would be transformed into a standardized metric and compared to various sets of norms.Psychological tests are only one element of the assessment and should never be used alone as the sole basis for a diagnosis. A detailed history of the individual and a review of psychological, medical, educational, or other relevant records are required to lay the groundwork for interpreting the results of any psychological measurement. (FAQS, 2014)Psychological Assessment Report FeedbackIn the writing of the report I would first determine who the audience would be- i.e. referring GP, case manager or individual and include background information that had been gathered during the semi-structured interview. The outline of each test conducted and the results of the symptom and behavioral checklists, along the results from structured interview and behavioral assessment would be included in the report. (Goldfinger Pomerantz, 2010)Modification of approach for different individual populationsCultural and language differences in the individual may affect test performance and may result in inaccurate test re sults. on that point is also the potential for the standardized testing to exhibitcultural bias (Goldstein Hersen, 2000). I would need to be aware before psychological testing begins if the individual is not fluent in English and/or belongs to a minority culture. I would need to consider the inclusion of an interpreter or cultural support person during the assessment. (ACAP, 2013) Different tests would also need to be considered that were age specific i.e. Child, Adolescent or Elderly.ConclusionOverall, the psychological assessment holds avitalrole in counseling and clinical practice. Without the useof psychological testing, the treatment of thepatientwould not be as effective and fewer people wouldreceivethe necessaryhelpthey need to live a wellnessy life.ReferencesAmerican Psychiatric crosstie (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (4th Text Revision ed.) Washington, DC American Psychiatric Association.Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009). National Su rvey of Mental wellness and Wellbeing Summary of Results, 4326.0, 2007. ABS Canberra.Australian College of Applied Psychology (2013) Facilitate the Counselling ProcessAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare (2007). The Burden of Disease and taint in Australia. AIHW Canberra.Beyond Blue (2014) Sign and Symptoms. Retrieved 20/08/14 from Beyond Blue website http//www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/signs-and-symptomsButcher, J. N., Dahlstrom, W. G., Graham, J. R., Tellegen, A, Kaemmer, B. (1989).The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Manual for administration and scoring. Minneapolis, MN University of Minnesota Press.Cohen, R.J., Swerdlik, M.E., Phillips, S.M. (1996) Psychological testing and assessment An introduction to tests and measurement (3rd ed.). Mountain View, CA, US Mayfield Publishing Co. (1996). xxviii 798 pp.Daniel, M. S., Crider, C. J. (2003). Mental Status Examination.Diagnostic interviewing (3rd ed.).FAQS (2014) Psychological tests Retri eved 20th August 2014 from FAQS.org website http//www.faqs.org/health/topics/56/Psychological-tests.htmlixzz3AvfH5RMRGoldfinger, K., Pomerantz, A. M. (2010).Psychological assessment and report writing. Los Angeles, CA SAGE.Goldstein, G. Hersen, M. (Eds.). (2000).Handbook of Psychological Assessment (3rd ed.). New York PergamonGroth-Marnat, G. (2003).Handbook of psychological assessment(4th ed.). Chapter 3,Laureate Online Education (2011) Week 2, Weekly notes Assessments in mental health https//elearning.uol.ohecampus.com/bbcswebdav/institution/UKL1/MAP/201480_AUGUST/APPTRE/readings/APPTRE_Week02_weeklyNotes.htmlPhares, E.J. Trull, T.J (1997) Clinical psychology concepts, methods, and professionWright, A. J. (2011).Conducting psychological assessment A guide for practitioners. Hoboken, NJ John Wiley Sons.