Assignment: Assessing and Diagnosing Patients With Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

 An important consideration when working with patients is their cultural background. Understanding an individual’s culture and personal experiences provides insight into who the person is and where he or she may progress in the future. Culture helps to establish a sense of identity, as well as to set values, behaviors, and purpose for individuals within … Read more

Week 7: Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders; Medication-Induced Movement Disorders

  Psychotic disorders and schizophrenia are some of the most complicated and challenging diagnoses in the DSM. The symptoms of psychotic disorders may appear quite vivid in some patients; with others, symptoms may be barely observable. Additionally, symptoms may overlap among disorders. For example, specific symptoms, such as neurocognitive impairments, social problems, and illusions may … Read more

Assignment 2: Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation and Patient Case Presentation

  Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations are a way to reflect on your practicum experiences and connect the experiences to the learning you gain from your weekly Learning Resources. Comprehensive notes, such as the ones required in this practicum course, are often used in clinical settings to document patient care. For this Assignment, you will document information … Read more

Assignment: Assessing and Diagnosing Patients With Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, and OCD

   “Fear,” according to the DSM-5, “is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat” (APA, 2013). All anxiety disorders contain some degree of fear or anxiety symptoms (often in combination with avoidant behaviors), although their causes and severity differ. Trauma-related disorders may also, but not necessarily, … Read more