PATIENT EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Patient education is an effective tool in supporting compliance and treatment for a diagnosis. It is important to consider effective ways to educate patients and their families about a diagnosis—such as coaching, brochures, or videos—and to recognize that the efficacy of any materials may differ based on the needs and learning preferences of a particular patient. Because patients or their families may be overwhelmed with a new diagnosis, it is important that materials provided by the practitioner clearly outline the information that patients need to know.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

For this Assignment, you will pretend that you are a contributing writer to a health blog. You are tasked with explaining important information about an assigned mental health disorder in language appropriate for child/adolescent patients and/or their caregivers. (Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

TO PREPARE

·       By Day 1, your Instructor will assign a mood or anxiety disorder diagnosis for you to use for this Assignment.

·       Research signs and symptoms for your diagnosis, pharmacological treatments, nonpharmacological treatments, and appropriate community resources and referrals.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

·       

THE ASSIGNMENT

In a 300- to 500-word blog post written for a patient and/or caregiver audience, explain signs and symptoms for your diagnosis, pharmacological treatments, nonpharmacological treatments, and appropriate community resources and referrals.Although you are not required to respond to colleagues, collegial discussion is welcome. (Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

1.     assignment Bipolar Disorder Depressed  

2.     **** Format in APA – I recommend you utilize Walden’s writing support if you have questions/Please see syllabus for details 

NRNP_6665_Week5_Assignment_Rubric

NRNP_6665_Week5_Assignment_Rubric

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIn a 300- to 500-word blog post written for a patient and/or caregiver audience: • Explain signs and symptoms for the assigned diagnosis in children and adolescents.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

30 to >26.0 pts

Excellent

The response accurately and concisely explains signs and symptoms of the assigned diagnosis in language and tone that are engaging and appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

26 to >23.0 pts

Good

The response accurately explains signs and symptoms of the assigned diagnosis in language and tone appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.

23 to >20.0 pts

Fair

The response somewhat vaguely or inaccurately explains signs and symptoms of the assigned diagnosis. Language and tone are mostly appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

20 to >0 pts

Poor

The response vaguely or inaccurately explains signs and symptoms of the assigned diagnosis. Language and tone are not appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience. Or the response is missing.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome· Explain pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for children and adolescents with the diagnosis.

30 to >26.0 pts

Excellent

The response accurately and concisely explains pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments in language and tone that are engaging and appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

26 to >23.0 pts

Good

The response accurately explains pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments in language and tone that are appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.

23 to >20.0 pts

Fair

The response somewhat vaguely or inaccurately explains pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. Language and tone are mostly appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

20 to >0 pts

Poor

The response vaguely or inaccurately explains pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. Language and tone are not appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience. Or the response is missing.

30 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome· Explain appropriate community resources and referrals for the assigned diagnosis.

25 to >22.0 pts

Excellent

The response accurately and concisely explains appropriate community resources and referrals for the assigned diagnosis in language and tone that are engaging and appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.

22 to >19.0 pts

Good

The response accurately explains appropriate community resources and referrals for the assigned diagnosis in language and tone that are appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

19 to >17.0 pts

Fair

The response somewhat vaguely or inaccurately explains community resources and referrals for the assigned diagnosis. Language and tone are mostly appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience.

17 to >0 pts

Poor

The response vaguely or inaccurately explains community resources and referrals for the assigned diagnosis. Language and tone are not appropriate for a patient/caregiver audience. Or the response is missing.

25 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

5 to >4.0 pts

Excellent

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion are provided that delineate all required criteria.

4 to >3.5 pts

Good

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are stated, yet they are brief and not descriptive.

3.5 to >3.0 pts

Fair

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are vague or off topic.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

3 to >0 pts

Poor

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity <60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion were provided.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – English Writing Standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation

5 to >4.0 pts

Excellent

Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors

4 to >3.5 pts

Good

Contains one or two grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

3.5 to >3.0 pts

Fair

Contains several (three or four) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

3 to >0 pts

Poor

Contains many (five or more) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/narrative in-text citations, and reference list.

5 to >4.0 pts

Excellent

Uses correct APA format with no errors

4 to >3.5 pts

Good

Contains one or two APA format errors

3.5 to >3.0 pts

Fair

Contains several (three or four) APA format errors

3 to >0 pts

Poor

Contains many (five or more) APA format errors

5 pts

Total Points: 100

Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example

Depression in children and adolescents with bipolar illness (BD) poses significant clinical challenges. Depression, the most common psychopathology in BD that has been treated, is linked to excess morbidity, mortality from co-occurring general medical illnesses, and a high risk of suicide. It often onsets in adolescence but can also affect children, although it is often underdiagnosed during childhood (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). Risks for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and accompanying mortality rates, are higher in BD than in the general population or those with other psychiatric conditions (Baldessarini et al., 2020). The likelihood of suicide among people with BD is 20 times higher than the rate for the general population. It is higher than the rate for those with other severe psychiatric conditions. In BD, hospitalization, time spent depressed, and mixed and depressive phases are all highly linked to suicide.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

Signs and Symptoms

Bipolar disorder symptoms in adolescents are similar to those in adults, but children often demonstrate more energy and activity level than usual in the manic episode. However, in a depressive episode, children are sad and indicate lower activity levels than usual. Bipolar disorder symptoms that begin in childhood or during adolescence occur in episodes and typically last a lifetime. Patients with BD frequently fear and try to avoid, report, and seek therapeutic assistance for depression. On the other hand, they might not regard little improvements in mood, vigor, activity, or libido as clinically significant hypomanic symptoms and might even enjoy such states (Barney, 2022).
Diagnostic ambiguity is pervasive early in the illness and the absence of corroborating information from a family member or close friend. Initially undiagnosed, bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by recurrent bouts of mania or hypomania that alternate with depressive episodes (Barney, 2022). Bipolar disorder’s depression phase can cause the affected children to feel down, anxious, or empty, have little to no energy, feel like they cannot enjoy anything, sleep too little or too much, struggle to get out of bed, eat too little or too much, struggle to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, and even consider suicide.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)
Generally, bipolar disorder patients can experience extreme sadness and high energy levels (Barney, 2022). Those who experience depression for an extended period, often at least two weeks, are more likely to be in the depressive phase of BD. Patients may experience these episodes infrequently or frequently each year. These symptoms impact the academic performance of children and adolescents, and they may struggle to relate or get along with friends and family (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). In worst-case scenarios, a depressive episode can cause intent to harm themselves or suicidal ideation and attempts. (Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

Pharmacological Treatments

Pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder depression includes FDA-approved drugs such as olanzapine and fluoxetine (OFC), quetiapine, lurasidone, cariprazine, and lumateperone. Other common BD-D treatments include classic mood stabilizers and antipsychotics (Yalin & Young, 2020). OFC was the first medication the US FDA approved to treat BD-D. While treating BD-D, lurasidone is taken alone or in conjunction with lithium or valproate. Moreover, Cariprazine lessens the symptoms of depression. Recently, lumateperone was licensed for treating depression in either BD-I or BD-II disorder as a monotherapy or as an additional therapy with lithium or valproate. Lithium is beneficial in the short-term management of mood and prevention of mania, and it may be especially effective in a subset of patients (Yalin & Young, 2020). Asenapine, risperidone, clozapine, aripiprazole, and ziprasidone have not received FDA approval.

Nonpharmacological Treatments

Common nonpharmacological treatments for BD-D are electroconvulsive therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) delivers a rapid clinical reaction and can be utilized in urgent clinical conditions, including suicidal behaviors, severe psychosis, or catatonia (Levenberg & Cordner, 2022). Patients with BD-D typically notice improvement after seven ECT sessions, while the number of sessions required varies considerably. There is a relatively minimal probability of adverse side effects with psychotherapy. Pharmaceutical therapy is supplemented by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT has been linked to decreased BD-D relapse rates and improved depressive symptoms.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

Appropriate Community Resources and Referrals

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is a prestigious nonprofit group of doctors and other mental health specialists committed to assisting kids, teenagers, and families experiencing mental, behavioral, or developmental issues. The AACAP offers information for parents on its website, including a link to a local pediatric and adolescent psychiatrist. NAMI and Affiliates provide people with information about various community resources and support on an individual and family level. For questions concerning bipolar disorder and available resources, contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or [email protected]. Moreover, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a national nonprofit that assists people with depression and bipolar mood disorders. The group also provides a support system for parents of kids who have pediatric mood disorders. Specifically, it offers assistance through local chapter meetings and online tools like educational videos, discussion forums, and support groups. (Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

 

References

Baldessarini, R. J., Vázquez, G. H., & Tondo, L. (2020). Bipolar depression: a major unsolved challenge. International journal of bipolar disorders, 8(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-019-0160-1
Barney, A. (2022). Depression in Bipolar Disorder: What You Can Do. https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/depression-symptoms
Levenberg, K., & Cordner, Z. A. (2022). Bipolar depression: a review of treatment options. General Psychiatry, 35(4).
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-teens
Yalin, N., & Young, A. H. (2020). Pharmacological Treatment of Bipolar Depression: What are the Current and Emerging Options? Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 16, 1459–1472. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S245166

Frequently Asked Questions

What are people with bipolar depression like?

People with bipolar depression experience alternating periods of intense lows (depressive episodes) and highs (manic or hypomanic episodes). During depressive phases, they may feel overwhelming sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and may withdraw socially. These mood shifts can significantly impact their daily functioning and relationships.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

Is bipolar disorder a depression?

Bipolar disorder is not the same as depression, although it does involve episodes of depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of intense mood swings, including depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes. Depression, on the other hand, refers specifically to a prolonged period of low mood, lack of interest, and impaired functioning, without the alternating highs of mania or hypomania seen in bipolar disorder.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

What happens to people with bipolar depression?

People with bipolar depression experience periods of intense low mood, lack of energy, and loss of interest in activities (similar to major depression), which alternate with periods of elevated or manic mood characterized by increased energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior. These shifts between depressive and manic states can significantly impact their daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being. Effective treatment typically involves mood-stabilizing medications, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)

What are 5 signs of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by distinct periods of manic and depressive episodes. Five signs include extreme mood swings, ranging from euphoria and excessive energy during manic phases to profound sadness and low energy during depressive phases, disrupted sleep patterns, impaired decision-making and impulsivity, shifts in activity levels, and difficulties in maintaining stable relationships and responsibilities. It’s important to consult a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment if these symptoms are present.(Bipolar Disorder Depression Comprehensive Essay Example)