Describe how your treatment approach will alter brain chemistry and influence behavior. Provide a detailed plan of how the integrated treatment team will address the needs of the client and justify the model of intervention.

Use the format of diagnosing found in Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders. Your paper should synthesize the readings you have completed so far that apply to the topic and should reflect how this synthesis will help you apply what you are learning to your own work in the profession.

At the hospital, Lourdes’ husband explained that they were no longer sleeping together. At home, Lourdes does not play with the kids, and she has not spoken to her parents in months. She is withdrawn, irritable and tends to fall asleep on the couch every night. On more than one occasion, Lourdes had mentioned that her family would be better off if she were dead. The attending physician noted that Lourdes is underweight and has sluggish bowel sounds. He is concerned that the over-use of opiates has slowed her digestion and she may have created narcotic bowel syndrome which could account for some of her pain.

Your essay should include the following:

Diagnose the mental health issue(s) in the case study.
Select and explain your pharmacological treatment approach including the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug(s) you choose.
Include any possible short and long-term side effects of the treatment(s) as well as the necessary referrals.
Describe how your treatment approach will alter brain chemistry and influence behavior.
Provide a detailed plan of how the integrated treatment team will address the needs of the client and justify the model of intervention.