RESPONSE 1
Respondto at least two colleagues who selected a different theory from the one you selected. Explain how another systems theory that neither you nor your colleague has previously discussed might be applied to the course-specific case study your colleague selected.
Colleague 1: AnnaVi
Case Background
Matt and Keith are homosexual males that adopted two children ages 7 and 3. The couple decided to attend counseling due to a conflict in parenting styles. The adopted children have special needs. Jackson the oldest child shows behavior problems that result in aggression and was later diagnosed with ADHD (Plummer Makris & Brocksen 2014). The younger child Ellery was born with a cleft palate deformity to the jaw and is blind. She often has trouble with breathing and swallowing her food due to the deformities to her lip and jaw (Plummer Makris & Brocksen 2014).
The couple struggles with Jacksons behavioral problems as well as the Ellerys medical issues. Due to the demands of parenthood Matt and Keith struggle to spend quality time with one another. More importantly both Matt and Keith have opposite parenting styles that often lead to disagreements.
Conflict Theory
According to Robbins Chatterjee & Canda (2012) Conflict also helps to define the nature and structure of relationships between conflicting parties (p. 73). Coser suggests that realistic conflict occurs from specific demands (Robbins Chatterjee & Canda 2012). As both sides struggle to find balance the need for rearrangement and accommodation is needed between Matt and Keith to resolve their conflicts. Cosers realistic conflict ends in a less violent confrontation rather than a violent hostile one. I find Sowers take on conflict relating to Matt and Keith as Sower describes conflict as a transaction. Matt and Keith often argue and disagree due to the specific demands of parenting as both find difficulty finding an equal balance.
Social Work Skills
The social skills necessary to manage between conflicting couples include applying Narrative therapy and EFT to allow each couple to illustrate their own perspective of the conflicts present in their home. The use of narrative therapy allows the couple to identify their values and strengths that are necessary to the functions of the household. EFT is often used in couples as an approach to explore feelings emotions and perspective to what happened in the relationship.
The social worker may also provide resources where education can be provided on ADHD and medical issues that Ellery suffers from. The use of empathy and remaining neutral is also important in managing conflict. The ability to ask open-ended questions that contribute to Matt and Keiths understanding of the problems are present and ability to manage the visits without escalating into major arguments fights or one person storming off.
Plummer S.-B. Makris S. & Brocksen S. M. (Eds). (2014).Social work case studies: Concentration year.Baltimore MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing [VitalSource e-reader].
Robbins S. P. Chatterjee P. & Canda E. R. (2012).Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work(3rded.). Upper Saddle River NJ: Allyn & Bacon.
Colleague 2: Lea
Case Background:
The Case of Matt and Keith (Plummer Makris and Brocksen 2014) describes the some of the conflicts that can arise when parents are faced with parenting children with disabilities. In this case Matt and Keith find themselves so consumed with caring for their children’s special needs that they have neglected the care of their relationship. Furthermore the men have had difficulty locating professionals who can support them in caring for their son diagnosed with ADHD when he was four years old.
The conflicts these parentsand their family face are numerous. Some are at the forefront of their day to day lives. For example they are working to address their son’s behavior problems but they are also dealing with their daughter’s medical issues (cleft palate). They also face the conflict that comes with becoming parents such as less time doing things alone or as a couple as well as navigating different/opposing parenting styles. Furthermore they are a gay couple which comes with its own set of issues. In this case both men have left their Catholicbackground (possible faith-based support) to worship in a church is inclusive of non-traditional relationships and families. The men have sought therapy previously but found that the therapist focused on the ADHD aspect of their family but not on how to make their family work or their opposing parenting styles.
Applicable ConflictTheory:
Lewis Coserdescribed conflict as unifying or binding individuals or groups together that if used realistically can function as a safety valve to release tension and avoid hostility (Robbins Chatterjee and Canda 2012). The conflict faced by Matt and Keith are not insurmountable as they are committed to their relationship and their family. This realistic conflict is evidenced by their initiative to seek assistance individually and as a family.
Because of the nature of the couple’s non-traditional makeup a post-structuralist conflict theory may be an appropriate approach to applyingsocial work skills with this family. Post-structuralism challenges universal ideals and grand structures. What is considered normal or the norm is only deemed so because of social constructs (Wendt and Seymore 2010). Post-structuralism is not meant to be a one size fits all approach. Wendt and Seymore purport that the social workers employing a post-structuralistapproach to treatment must understand the difference between empowering and taking power if she is going to serve her clientssuccessfully. The authors describe empowering as the act of being given power while taking power suggest the idea that power is a property that one can take control over and own.The couple in the case needs to take back the control and power in their relationship.Additionally their son needs the opportunity to take power over his disability.
Social Work Skills:
As a social worker involved with this family I would assist this family in finding and using services as an aid to building a stronger family relationship a team environment between parents and a professional network toturn to forsupport. Like the worker in the case study (Plummer et. al. 2014) I would look at solution-based interventions to apply to each of the couple’s concerns: Finding expert care for their son’s ADHD finding respite so that the couple can care for their relationship andseeking/providing individual as well as family counseling. Assisting the family in taking power over their situation will serve to bind them closer together as a couple and a build a stronger family unit.
References:
Plummer S.-B. Makris S. & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014).Social work case studies: Concentration year.Baltimore MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.
Robbins S. P. Chatterjee P. & Canda E. R. (2012).Contemporary human behavior theory: A critical perspective for social work(3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River NJ: Allyn & Bacon.
Wendt S. & Seymour S. (2010). Applying Post-structuralist Ideas to Empowerment: Implications for Social Work Education.Social Work Education29(6) 670-682. doi:10.1080/02615470903342093
RESPONSE 2
Respond to two of your colleagues posts by:
Offering an alternative medication and strategy to address client hesitations and support the psychiatrists recommendation
Offering additional support for the suggested drug and the strategy to address client hesitations and support the psychiatrists recommendation
Detailing current research that corroborates or refutes this drug and explain how this might impact a physicians choice of this drug
Colleague 1: Dawn
The Benefits and Limitations of Antidepressant Medications
Antidepressants are effective often times doctors will prescribe them when a patient has observed signs of depression. Given the patient all the information to decide if they chose to try the medication and which medication is the right one for them. It may take a while to discuss with the patient to be open to the idea of taking a medication. Help the patient understand the reasoning for the medication and explain how it can change the way they are feeling.
There are many medications when treating depression and this certain serotonin reuptake inhibitors is the least restrictive medication that can treat it (Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you 2011). First the least restrictive would be better for the patient. Prozac (Selfemra) is a common antidepressant that can treat medication with manual side effects such as dry mouth (Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you 2011). There are benefits since there is a generic version it may cost less for the patient little side effects no withdrawal affects and no dependency (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors n.d.). Limitations of Prozac it may take longer for the effects of the medication to work (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors n.d.). Sometimes the anxiety may increase at first when discontinuing the medication you can get flu-like symptoms (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors n.d.). Biochemical imbalance sends more supply of neurotransmitter serotonin to other cells (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors n.d.).
Supporting the psychiatrists with clients and helps them figure out the most appropriate pharmaceutical approach for them (Helping Clients Understand the Role of Medication 2016). Help navigate the discussion when a psychiatrist recommends a medication to a hesitant client. They are lacking the awareness of the stability the medication can give them if they give it a chance (Helping Clients Understand the Role of Medication 2016 ). A medical social worker can make goals and have the main goal for them to try the medication work them up with education and understanding of the medication so they will give it a chance (Helping Clients Understand the Role of Medication 2016 ). Balancing advocacy to the patient and the psychiatrist is one of the key roles as a social worker.
References
Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you. (2011). Retrieved fromhttp://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273
Helping Clients Understand the Role of Medication. (2016). Retrieved fromhttp://www.bhevolution.org/public/perspectives_201202.page
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (n.d.). Retrieved formhttp://www.anxirties.com
Colleague 2: Fatima
Citalopram is a SSRI that is used to treat depression. It functions by blocking the reuptake of 5-HT by neurons (Lichtblau 2011). The medication can take anywhere from two to four weeks to take effect. Once the medication starts to have a therapeutic effect it should be taken for at least six months to prevent relapse. Even though it is a non habit forming drug patients should also taper themselves off the medication instead of an abrupt stop to prevent withdrawal. Compared to MAOIs and TCAs citalopram has lower toxicity and fewer side effects because of its ability to specifically block reuptake of 5-HT without affecting other receptors (Lichtblau 2011). However high levels of 5-HT in the brain spinal cord and GI tract can also cause problems (Lichtblau 2011). Some of the side effects include nausea diarrhea vomiting weight loss changes in sex drive heavy menstrual periods and excessive tiredness (National Institute of Mental Health 2008).
According to Preston ONeal and Talaga (2017) a change in physiological symptoms is currently the most reliable way of determining if a patient is experiencing depression. Without knowledge of these symptoms one may not realize how depression is negatively affecting the individual. Preston et. al (2017) also state that in eighty percent of the cases medicine is effective in treating the physiological symptoms of depression. If a client is hesitant to take medication they should be informed of the physiological changes they are experiencing as a result of their depression and the high likelihood that medication will help bring them back to normal functioning. In the case of citalopram the patient should understand that although it is not guaranteed that it will help them specifically it is a good place to start. Depending on the type of depression the patient is experiencing one should also inform them about the risk of relapse if recovery is not achieved. Also medication is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If the patient engages in both forms of therapy they will have a better experience with recovery.
Lichtblau L. (2011).Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.
Preston J. D. ONeal J. H. & Talaga M. C. (2017).Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists(8th ed.).Oakland CA: New Harbinger.
RESPONSE 3
Respondto two of your colleagues posts from a different group who posted to a different Depression Case Study by:
o Offering an alternative medication to address the major symptoms identified that indicate depression
o Detailing current research that corroborates or refutes this drug and explain how this might impact a physicians choice of this drug
o Offering another strategy that might address the challenges that may arise in the initial stages of treatment
Colleague 1: Dawn
Group BDepression Case Study for Paulette
The Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Initial Stages of Psychopharmacological Intervention
Paulette major symptoms that show depression Paulette is not interested in her usual activities anymore and has low energy. Her recently eating habits she may feel stress so she is eating more with her recent weight gain. A medication that might be prescribed to treat Paulette depression could try Lamictal because I would suggest she should not take a medication that could cause seizures even though it was 10 years from her last one. This medication is to treat epileptic seizures therefore it would be safe when it came causing her to have a seizure (What is Lamictal 2017) Lamictal also treats mood episodes in adults (What is Lamictal 2017).
A mental health professional should explain to the client and give them the awareness of medication and related side effects about the medication that they are prescribed (Effects of Psychiatric Drugs n.d.). They should explain the truth about these psychiatric medications and discuss the pros and cons of the medication to make sure the reason for taking them outweighs the side effects (Effects of Psychiatric Drugs n.d.).They should educate what to expect and explain the important information before taking these medications and what to avoid and most of all do not stop using any medication suddenly to follow the directions when taking it.
A potential challenge that might impact the client in the first stages of psychopharmacological intervention the medication does not work. The medication side effects become increasing difficult such as excessive thoughts of suicide. This reason will outweigh any reason for taking the medication. Another potential challenge is if other symptoms arise and you realized they are misdiagnosed and the medication should be changed.
One strategy a mental health professional might use to discuss challenges that arise in the first stages of treatment would be to ween them off of their medication and watch them closely. Then decide what medication would be a better fit.
References
Effects of Psychiatric Drugs. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://medicalwhistleblowernetwork.jigsy.com/psychiatric-drugs-side-effects-
What is Lamictal? (2017). Retrieved fromhttps://www.drugs.com/lamictal.html
Colleague 2: Lea
****Each response needs to be 1/2 with one reference****