Generally, mental health professionals attempt to empower clients to care for their own problems by supporting client agency. However, in some cases clients may be stifled in their efforts to self-advocate. In other instances, clients may make dangerous, potentially lethal decisions out of misinformation or attempts to get high. Mental health professionals should be prepared to identify warning signs that might indicate a need to protect a client beyond asking that she or he take the necessary steps.
For this Assignment, review the ADHD case study of Junior in the Learning Resources. Consider the ethical implications of the clients presentation as well as the role of the mental health professional in treating this client. Plan steps to begin treatment of this clients condition.
By Day 7
In a 2- to 3-page, APA-formatted paper, include the following:
- An explanation of what may be occurring in this case.
- An explanation of the psychopharmacological interventions a mental health professional might recommend to treat this client and why these interventions might be necessary.
- Address ethical implications that may be present in the clients presentation
- Address larger ethical implications of medical treatment of ADHD by the mental health professional
Support your explanations with scholarly evidence and information from the DSM-5.
Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Chapter 5, Cognitive Enhancers (pp. 6574)
Preston, J. D., ONeal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
Chapter 23, Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology (pp. 255-276)
Coker, T. R., Elliott, M. N., Toomey, S. L., Schwebel, D.C., Cuccaro, P., Emery, S. T., & … Schuster, M. A. (2016). Racial and ethnic disparities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Pediatrics, 138(3), e20160407.
Quinn, M., & Lynch, A. (2016). Is ADHD a “Real” Disorder?. Support For Learning, 31(1), 59-70.
Document: ADHD Stimulant Addiction Case Study: Junior (PDF)
Use this document to guide you as you complete this weeks Assignment.
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
