Assignment: Considering Alternative Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorders

Imagine that you have been seeing a client for 4 months. During treatment, you learn that he has been 5 years sober but lately has felt an intense sense of anxiety and has requested a referral to a psychiatrist. Upon returning to his counseling sessions, you learn that the psychiatrist has prescribed diazepam, a benzodiazepine. You are aware of the fact that the benzodiazepine functions similarly to alcohol in the body. You are concerned about a relapse because of this newly prescribed medication for the anxiety disorder.

Sometimes the medication a doctor chooses to treat a client’s symptoms is ineffective or inappropriate, or it may not create the desired effect without intolerable side effects. Under what circumstances does it become necessary for a mental health professional to advocate for an alternative treatment for a client? What ethical issues associated with client treatment would mental health professionals need to address? Why would a release of information be needed?

For this Assignment, view the media case study titled “Anxiety Disorder Case Study: Mary.”Assume the role of a mental health professional to respond to the client call. Review the medication that the psychiatrist prescribed and explain the expected effects and side effects of its use. Plan a treatment strategy.

By Day 7

In a 2- to 3-page, APA-formatted paper, include the following:

• An explanation of any concerns, ethical or otherwise, you may have regarding the client’s generalized anxiety disorder treatment
• An explanation of the factors you would take into consideration in developing a strategy to treat the client’s generalized anxiety disorder
• An explanation of a treatment strategy for the client’s generalized anxiety disorder along with a justification for your strategy
• An explanation of how you would advocate for your treatment strategy

Required Readings

Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 6, “Anxiolytic-Sedative-Hypnotic Drug Pharmacotherapy” (pp. 77–84)

Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

• Chapter 9, “Anxiety Disorders” (pp. 107-122)
• Chapter 12, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” (pp. 137-144)
• Chapter 18, “Antianxiety Medication” (pp. 217-226)

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

Use the DSM-5 to guide you through your understanding of the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Highlights of changes from DSM IV-TR to DSM-5. Retrieved from http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf
As you review this document, consider the changes to the diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders.