Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Psych H&P

cc: "I feel really anxious."

HPI: This 25-year-old female with a history of depression and anxiety presents with a six month history of increased anxiety. She reports an increase in worrying about her career, her pets, money, and her marriage, and she cannot control these worries. She has difficulty falling asleep because of intrusive thoughts and worries, and her appetite has recently increased, with an increase in craving for sweets. She reports feeling "very tense" and fatigued. She also has some feelings of guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness with depressed mood, increased irritability, and psychomotor agitation. She feels that the increase in anxiety may be related to a difficult decision she faces in her career, but she feels that her ability to function is impaired.

PMH: Asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD
PSH: No surgeries
Psych Hx: Diagnosed with depression in 2000; treated with SSRI's off and on since; she reports only occasional compliance, in part because of money
Meds: Zoloft 50 mg qd; Claritin D PRN; Prilosec OTC PRN; albuterol inhaler PRN
Allergies: NKDA

Family Hx: CAD, dyslipidemia, CVA, depression
Social Hx: Patient lives with her husband. She is a graduate student and will need to pick a career before graduation in 2008. They have no children.
Habits: Occasional alcohol, no cigarettes or drugs

ROS: Gen: + fatigue, + weight gain
HEENT: + headaches, + blurry vision (needs new glasses), + allergic rhinitis
CV: -
Lungs: -
GI: + heartburn, + abd cramps and diarrhea
MSK: + neck and back tension

PE: Gen: 25 yo WF, anxious-appearing, overweight, cooperative with exam
VS: HR 76 RR 18 BP 107/64 T 98.6
CV: RRR
Lungs: CTAB
HEENT: PERRLA, TM's clear, turbinates swollen and red, oropharynx clear
Abd: soft, NT/ND, hyperactive bowel sounds
MSK: 5/5 strength throughout, 2+ DTR's throughout
Gyn: deferred
MSE: Gen: A&O x 4
TP/TC: No AH/VH/SI/HI; goal-oriented; some derailing/thought blocking
Speech: loud, normal tone, rate, and content
Mood: anxious, irritable
Affect: anxious
Insight: good
Judgment: fair; patient did seek attention for symptoms, but isn't always compliant with medication
MMSE: 30/30

A&P: 25 yo WF with generalized anxiety disorder and depressed mood
1. Encourage patient to take currently prescribed SSRI. Consider adding buspirone for anxiety.
2. Recommend supportive therapy. Biofeedback may help this patient with prominent somatic symptoms.
3. The patient has severe anxiety regarding her decision to pursue a career in urology, and has recently begun to consider a career in psychiatry instead. Recommend the patient look at both objectively and discuss pros and cons with her family, friends, and advisors.

Surprise!

5 comments:

punchberry said...

Well, on the con list, you would need to change your blog URL again.

Great entry-- I look forward to hearing what you decide!

Simplistic Mom said...

I'm amazed I understood as much of the abbreviations I did...I knew it was you after two sentences! You'll be fine darling - no matter what you choose to do. You have a wonderful supportive husband, many supportive friends, and a wonderful family. Just remember that what ever choice you make if it turns out to be "the wrong choice" what's the worst thing that happens?....you have to do some paperwork and a few other things, doesn't seem so bad to me! Go with your heart!!!!!

alwaysthegoodgirl said...

Holy Moses! Wow! Where did that come from? Did you fall in love with psych?
Peanut

Anonymous said...

Good luck starting urology today. May you love it or hate it: but either way know what you want to do.

Anonymous said...

How the fuck did you look up your own nose????? I don't even know what my patients' turbinates look like-- damn you're good!