An Inside Look At Karen's Depression

Karen’s depression started when she was 12, although it had not become apparent until she reaches the age of 16. Karen said she’s been faced with several stressors from her family most of the time, that could have triggered or worsened her depression through the years. The main stressor she pointed out is due to her parent’s separation in her adolescent years. Others were deaths of her grandmother on Christmas Eve of 2009 and death of his father due to Lymphoma in 2012, which were the causes of her hospitalizations. Part of the family routine is checking - by texting or calling - each other at least once every morning. During attacks of depression Karen prefers to be by herself alone. Karen explained that she cannot sleep at night, often remaining

She has no motivation to do things and lacks confidence. Karen also stated she was mad at her father when he is still living. This is because of his occasional and seldom involvement with her and for the abandonment of their family. But much of her anger about her father started from the years before her parents’ separation, where she said she was a witness to her parents’ almost daily emotional and physical fights during her adolescent years. Her mother disclosed that Karen’s biological father was abusive toward her (Katrina), but not to their children. She left him after an incident where he hit her and the kids are home. She felt her daughter’s safety was being seriously threatened. Of her two daughters, she felt most similar in behavior and temperament to Karen. She feared that without more guidance and supervision she could end up and put herself in dangerous situations like when she’s on her age – getting sexually transmitted diseases she

This is the priority nursing diagnosis, which is related to Karen’s lack of energy and motivation and feeling of worthlessness. As evidenced by her experiences of negative and self-critical thoughts, she also verbalized some discomfort with her relationship to his step-father, and feelings of isolation. Desired Outcome: SAFETY - Karen will seek out for help by calling family or community nurse when feeling to attempt to harm self during community rotation. #2 (Contextual) “How can I improve my mood when financial assistance always worries me” is related to Karen’s illness, the neurophysiological imbalances, and her recurrent feelings of worries and guilt. As evidenced by her inability to recognize the resources around her and some self-negating thoughts and verbalizations. Desired Outcome: Patient will express belief in self and will use the resources available in the community as discuss in a week. #3 (Functional) “I can’t stand the idea of taking my medications every day, but I don’t know how I’m going to be able to live without it normally.” This related to Karen’s anxiety and her inability to have an understanding and assessment of stressors she faced every day. As evidenced by her med non-compliance, her risk of having boyfriends, and some destructive behavior toward self (not sleeping, not eating) when not taking meds regularly. Desired Outcomes: Karen will verbalize ability to understand the purpose