Post by avazifdar on Jan 18, 2016 12:38:20 GMT
Lucy is a 34-year old single mother who has recently been diagnosed with a cranial tumour in the right frontal lobe. The diagnosis explains her symptoms of persistent and worsening headache over the last four weeks, which have led her to resign from work and rely more on her mother for support and care. Lucy has also experienced symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, such as nausea, vomiting, and mild photophobia. Hence, it is likely that the tumour is a space-occupying lesion, which is exerting the oedema effect and causing the symptoms that Lucy is experiencing. Taking her age and sex into consideration, the lesion is most likely to be a primary lesion, single and benign in nature. In addition, given that Lucy's father died 15 years ago of stroke related causes, her mother and her sister both have cardiovascular illness, and Lucy has HERNS syndrome, there is a high probability that the tumour has a vascular cause.
Lucy has become depressed and withdrawn since finding out that she has a brain tumour. In particular, she is very anxious about the possibility that the biopsy results will show that the tumour is cancerous. Although symptoms of depression and anxiety are not uncommon in patients threatened by a diagnosis of cancer, Lucy has a history of feeling melancholy and, significantly, developed postnatal depression following the birth of her son five years ago. Lucy's response to her current illness needs to be understood in this context, as it will help to assess how well she will cope with the forthcoming diagnosis and future management of her illness.
Upon the mental state examination, Lucy exhibited sullen appearance and limited facial expression. Although articulate, she spoke slowly and softly throughout the interview. Clearly, Lucy has a depressed affect. Her history of childhood depression in conjunction with her recent history of poor appetite, sleep disturbance, energy loss, reduced concentration and feelings of guilt indicate that Lucy is prone to developing a major depressive disorder in response to her current medical condition.
Treatment-Treat underlying tumor and then for MDD combo of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy
Lucy has become depressed and withdrawn since finding out that she has a brain tumour. In particular, she is very anxious about the possibility that the biopsy results will show that the tumour is cancerous. Although symptoms of depression and anxiety are not uncommon in patients threatened by a diagnosis of cancer, Lucy has a history of feeling melancholy and, significantly, developed postnatal depression following the birth of her son five years ago. Lucy's response to her current illness needs to be understood in this context, as it will help to assess how well she will cope with the forthcoming diagnosis and future management of her illness.
Upon the mental state examination, Lucy exhibited sullen appearance and limited facial expression. Although articulate, she spoke slowly and softly throughout the interview. Clearly, Lucy has a depressed affect. Her history of childhood depression in conjunction with her recent history of poor appetite, sleep disturbance, energy loss, reduced concentration and feelings of guilt indicate that Lucy is prone to developing a major depressive disorder in response to her current medical condition.
Treatment-Treat underlying tumor and then for MDD combo of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy