Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM5) as “a prominent and persistent period of depressed mood or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities that predominates in the clinical picture and that is thought to be related to the direct physiological effect of another medical condition” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). One of the most important features of this diagnosis in comparison to Major Depressive Disorder is that a clinician must find that the persons’ general medical condition they are diagnosed with is etiologically related to the depression or mood disturbance. The clinician must also consider
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Often physicians can be so focused on the presenting biological medical problem that they may not take into consideration the patients’ current state of mental health and how it may be impacting their general medical diagnosis. Further, how their general medical diagnosis may be responsible for the feelings of depression (Bunevicius, 2009). It is important to, as stated above, assess correctly to find out whether it is truly depression associated with medical diagnosis or if there is another appropriate depressive disorder diagnosis. Most importantly, we need to encourage a holistic view of our patients. A view that encompasses the patients biological, psychological and social needs. We need to assess and address the role emotional factors play in general medical …show more content…
S. Zigmond and R. P. Snaith in 1983 as a tool used to screen non-psychiatric hospital patients and patients in medical outpatient clinics for anxiety and depression. The HADS assessment was created out of a need from a general hospital practice physician who “knew that a large portion of patients attending his clinic were suffering from emotional disorder or else that such disorder was an important contributory factor to the distress of the illness.” (art1) The HADS is a quick, two to five minute, self reporting questionnaire that is used worldwide and has been translated into 115 different languages (art2). Further, it can be scored typically within minutes which makes it a quick, easy scale for non psychiatric clinicians to provide. It has been found to be well accepted by patients, often returning 95% to100% response rates.(art9) The HADS has a14 item scale that is divided into two equal subscales, the Anxiety subscale and a Depression subscale which both contain seven intertwined questions. Patients’ responses are to be answered based on frequency of feelings over the past
Often physicians can be so focused on the presenting biological medical problem that they may not take into consideration the patients’ current state of mental health and how it may be impacting their general medical diagnosis. Further, how their general medical diagnosis may be responsible for the feelings of depression (Bunevicius, 2009). It is important to, as stated above, assess correctly to find out whether it is truly depression associated with medical diagnosis or if there is another appropriate depressive disorder diagnosis. Most importantly, we need to encourage a holistic view of our patients. A view that encompasses the patients biological, psychological and social needs. We need to assess and address the role emotional factors play in general medical …show more content…
S. Zigmond and R. P. Snaith in 1983 as a tool used to screen non-psychiatric hospital patients and patients in medical outpatient clinics for anxiety and depression. The HADS assessment was created out of a need from a general hospital practice physician who “knew that a large portion of patients attending his clinic were suffering from emotional disorder or else that such disorder was an important contributory factor to the distress of the illness.” (art1) The HADS is a quick, two to five minute, self reporting questionnaire that is used worldwide and has been translated into 115 different languages (art2). Further, it can be scored typically within minutes which makes it a quick, easy scale for non psychiatric clinicians to provide. It has been found to be well accepted by patients, often returning 95% to100% response rates.(art9) The HADS has a14 item scale that is divided into two equal subscales, the Anxiety subscale and a Depression subscale which both contain seven intertwined questions. Patients’ responses are to be answered based on frequency of feelings over the past