Appropriate Drug Therapy for a Patient with MDD and a History of Alcohol Abuse

Appropriate Drug Therapy for a Patient with MDD and a History of Alcohol Abuse

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, escitalopram, or fluoxetine are effective in treating depression (Qaseem et al., 2023). They can improve depressive symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. Drugs that are contraindicated for the patient in this case include monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants due to their potential interactions with alcohol. The timeframe for resolution of symptoms may be within a few weeks, while for others, it might take several weeks to months.

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Question Two: Predictors of Late-Onset Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Stressful life events (Lenze & Wetherell, 2022)

Chronic illnesses

Chronic sleep disturbance

Decrease in social support

Question Three: Potential Neurobiology Causes of Psychotic Major Depression

Neurotransmitter imbalance; for example, dopamine or serotonin (Li et al., 2021)

Genetic factors

Immune system inflammation

Brain structure and function abnormalities

Question Four: Symptoms Required for an Episode of Major Depression to Occur

Depressed mood

Anhedonia

Anergia

Psychomotor retardation

Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness

Suicidal thoughts or ideations

Appetite and weight disturbance

Sleep disturbance

Difficulty with concentration

Question Five: Three Drug Classes That Precipitate Insomnia

Central nervous system stimulants; examples include amphetamines

Corticosteroids such as prednisolone (Espeso & Wick, 2023)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline

References

Espeso, N., & Wick, J. Y. (2023). Insomnia is not a normal part of ageing: the challenges of safely and effectively managing insomnia in older people. The Senior Care Pharmacist, 38(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.4140/TCP.n.2023.6

Lenze, E. J., & Wetherell, J. L. (2022). A lifespan view of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.4/elenze

Li, Z., Ruan, M., Chen, J., & Fang, Y. (2021). Major depressive disorder: Advances in neuroscience research and translational applications. Neuroscience Bulletin, 37, 863-880. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-021-00638-3