NURS 6660 Week 8 Mood Disorders Essay Assignment

“School and going out with my friends used to be fun, but not anymore. Mom keeps telling me just to go out and have fun, but I don’t see the point of trying. All my friends are better than I am. I keep having these headaches and just feel worthless. I used to get As and Bs in school, but not anymore. I can’t concentrate at school. I would rather be at home sleeping.”

Madison, age 16

Mood disorders can be particularly challenging to address in childhood and adolescence as many parents do not believe it is possible for their child to become depressed or even suicidal. The PMHNP needs to know how to diagnose these conditions and must understand the importance of integrating medication management strategies, with both individual and family therapy to optimize treatment outcomes.

This week, you debate the theory that bipolar depression can or cannot be diagnosed in children and adolescents.

Discussion: Pediatric Bipolar Depression Disorder Debate

Some debate in the literature exists specific to whether or not bipolar disorder can be diagnosed in childhood. While some have anecdotally argued that it is not possible for children to develop bipolar disorder (as normal features of childhood confound the diagnosis), other sources argue that pediatric bipolar disorder is a fact.

In this Discussion, you engage in a debate as to whether pediatric bipolar disorder is possible to diagnose.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Evaluate diagnosis of pediatric bipolar depression disorder
Analyze consequences to diagnosing/failing to diagnose pediatric bipolar depression disorder

To Prepare for the Discussion:

The instructor will assign you a position for or against the issue of diagnosing pediatric bipolar depression disorder.
Review the Learning Resources concerning the controversy over the diagnosis of pediatric bipolar depression disorder.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

By Day 3

Post:

Write “for” or “against” in the subject line of your Discussion post.
Based on the position you were assigned, justify whether or not pediatric bipolar depression disorder should be diagnosed.

Support your position with evidence and examples.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues who argued the opposite side as you by countering their argument with evidence. Identify at least two consequences to support your position.

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