Introduction
I referred a number of patients for specialized assistance and care during my practicum setting. One of these patients was an African American female with severe anxiety disorder. The patient was aged 18 years. My patient seemed to worry constantly. She was unable to cope with different situations. She also felt embarrassed and uneasy. The mental position of the patient explains why it was necessary to refer the patient to a psychiatrist (Bleakley & Davies, 2014). The strategy would make it easier for her to get the best psychological assistance.
Epidemiology and Diagnosis
Severe anxiety disorder is a common condition characterized by anxiety and depression. Phobia is also associated with many people with this disorder. People between 25 and 45 years record the highest rate of anxiety disorders. However, any person can be affected by this disorder. This information was therefore useful throughout my practicum setting. A physical exam was administered in order to diagnose the condition affecting the patient (Bandelow et al., 2012). I asked several questions in order to ascertain the patient’s medical history. The physical exam also outlined the major symptoms, attitudes, and behaviors portrayed by the patient. The level of dysfunction showed clearly that the patient was suffering from an anxiety disorder. It was appropriate to refer him to a professional. The patient followed my recommendations in order to get the best medical assistance.
Treatment and Management
Psychological disorders should be carefully monitored and managed. Anxiety disorders should be treated using several approaches. Drugs should be used to reduce some of the symptoms associated with the condition. The second approach should focus on the power of psychotherapy (Kosteniuk, Morgan, & D’Arcy, 2012). This kind of counseling makes it easier for patients to deal with various disorders. Mental health practitioners and psychiatrists should therefore use effective strategies in order to support the needs of their patients.
Fostering Effective Communication
Professional partners providing specialized care and assistance to the targeted patients should use appropriate strategies to foster communication. The first strategy focuses on the best communication practices that can deliver quality care. The strategy encourages different partners to work together in order to get the best health outcomes. Professionals should also embrace the best competencies in order to communicate effectively. The second strategy that can deliver the best results is known as collaborative communication (Cowden, 2012). This kind of communication encourages individuals to partner and engage their patients. The partners should focus on the best practices in order to get the best patients outcomes. These two strategies also support the power of patient engagement.
Follow-up Care
It was also appropriate to provide outpatient follow-up care to the targeted patient. Family members should also “be equipped with appropriate communication skills in order to address the needs of the patient” (Baldwin et al., 2015, p. 29). Follow-ups should be conducted frequently in order to monitor the success of the patient. The patient was also advised to collaborate with the psychiatrist. The follow-up approach would have made it easier for her to cope with the disorder.
Conclusion
This discussion explains why patients should get the appropriate medical support depending on the targeted condition. A proper diagnosis of the condition should be done in order to recommend the best management practices. Professional partners providing specialized healthcare should embrace the best communication strategies in order to support the needs of their patients (Katzman et al., 2014). The patient was able to get the best assistance from her psychiatrist. Psychiatrists should therefore consider the above aspects whenever dealing with various mental disorders.
Reference List
Baldwin, D., Anderson, I., Nutt, D., Allgulander, C., Bandelow, B., Boer, J.,…Wittchen, H. (2014). Evidence-based pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A revision of the 2005 guidelines from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 1(1), 1-37. Web.
Bandelow, B., Sher, L., Bunevicius, R., Hollander, E., Kasper, S., Zohar, J.,…Moller, N. (2012). Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in primary care. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 16(1), 77-84. Web.
Bleakley, S., & Davies, S. (2014). The pharmacological management of anxiety disorders. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry, 18(6), 27-32. Web.
Cowden, P. (2012). Communication and Conflict: Anxiety and Learning. Research in Higher Education Journal, 1(1), 1-9. Web.
Katz, C., Stein, M., & Sareen, J. (2013). Mood and Anxiety Disorders Rounds. CANMAT, 2(3), 1-6. Web.
Katzman, M., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., & Ameringen, M. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 14(1), 1-83. Web.
Kosteniuk, J., Morgan, D., & D’Arcy, C. (2012). Treatment and Follow-up of Anxiety and Depression in Clinical-Scenario Patients. Canadian Family Physician, 58(3), 152-158. Web.