Nursing and capstone (24 hours)
The child in question is exhibiting signs of depression, including feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, low energy, difficulty focusing on tasks or activities, decreased appetite, and an inability to experience pleasure.
In order to diagnose this child with depression, I first had to rule out other potential diagnoses that could explain the symptoms such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder or substance abuse. To do this, I asked the child questions about their family history concerning mental health disorders and current lifestyle habits.
Additionally, I conducted a physical exam to ensure that there were no underlying medical conditions causing these symptoms. Through my evaluations and assessments I was able to rule out any other possible diagnosis for the child’s behavior besides depression.