Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons^™

An Evidence-Based Approach For Decreasing Burnout In Health Care Workers, Leonor Salalila

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Health care worker (HCW) burnout is a pervasive phenomenon within the healthcare industry, affecting professionals across various disciplines. Emotional exhaustion is a prominent feature, leading to feelings of being emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and unable to cope effectively with the demands of the job. Additionally, burnout often results in a significant lack of motivation among HCWs, who may struggle to find meaning and purpose in their work, exacerbating feelings of frustration and disillusionment. Consequences extend beyond individual well-being, impacting healthcare organizations with reduced work efficacy, low productivity, increased absenteeism, and high turnover rates. Addressing burnout requires a multifaceted approach, …

A Clinical Pathway For Differential Diagnosis Of Adhd Vs Trauma: Early Childhood Recognition And Intervention, Maria Neiers

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Distinguishing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) presents significant diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptom presentations, shared neurobiological impacts, and frequent comorbidities. This paper explores the nuanced clinical differentiation between ADHD and C-PTSD, and other trauma disorders, in pediatric populations, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed assessment, early identification, and integrative clinical reasoning. The discussion highlights how structured diagnostic reasoning can reduce uncertainty, enhance diagnostic clarity, and support effective treatment planning. As a central contribution, this paper introduces an original clinical reasoning flowchart and a case conceptualization to illustrate its practical application in real-world diagnostic dilemmas. The need …

Etiological Perspectives Of Abdl Behavior From Members Of An Online Abdl Community, Jennie Hilleren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Atypical sexual behavior is often viewed from a perspective of pathology and non-clinical samples are not typically used in research. The current exploratory research is a qualitative study that examined the etiological perspectives of Adult Baby/ Diaper Lover (ABDL) behavior from members of an online ABDL community. Archival survey data from an online sample (N = 1,795) of ABDL participants were used. The theories informing this research included attachment theory and the sexual health model. Research questions included an examination of: (a) what we can be learn from the way an ABDL individual perceives the origin of ABDL behavior, (b) …

Use Of Naltrexone For Treating Binge Eating And Food Obsession Related To Trauma: A Case Report And Literature Review, Suzanne Holroyd, Iram Kingson, Rebecca Hicks, Jordan Gaal

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Impulse-control disorders, including those related to eating behaviors, are complex conditions with limited pharmacologic treatment options. While naltrexone is primarily used for opioid and alcohol dependence, emerging research suggests it may also be effective in managing a variety of impulse-driven conditions. As a pure opioid antagonist, naltrexone’s mechanism of action involves the inhibition of opioid receptors on dopaminergic neurons involved in the reward pathway of the brain, thereby reducing the reinforcing effects of substances such as alcohol and opioids. Research suggests that through this mechanism of action, naltrexone shows promise in treating impulsive behaviors also driven by the reward pathway, …

The Case Of Harleen Quinzel

Student Writing

From the DC Comics, TV shows, and the recent movie Suicide Squad, everyone knows Harleen Quinzel, aka Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn started out working at a Gotham Hospital then as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. While working at Arkham she met the Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker. She instantly fell in love with the Joker breaking him out of Arkham Asylum. Harleen then changes her name to Harley Quinn and goes to the chemical plant that changed the Joker’s appearance and changes hers. With a new name and the infamous Joker at her side, does she gain Histrionic Personality …

The Impact Of Depression On Patient Outcomes In Hip Arthroscopic Surgery., Thomas J Ellis

Surgery Articles

BACKGROUND: Mental health impairments have been shown to negatively affect preoperative self-reported function in patients with various musculoskeletal disorders, including those with femoroacetabular impingement.

HYPOTHESIS: Those with symptoms of depression will have lower self-reported function, more pain, and less satisfaction on initial assessment and at 2-year follow-up than those without symptoms of depression.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Patients who were enrolled in a multicenter hip arthroscopic surgery registry and had 2-year outcome data available were included in the study. Patients completed the 12-item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and …

Coping With Vicarious Trauma In Mental Health Interpreting, Rebekah Knodel

Journal of Interpretation

This research explores coping strategies used by American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters who work in mental health settings. Due to the highly emotional nature of such assignments, interpreters are at an increased risk for experiencing vicarious trauma. This study also investigates the available training regarding vicarious trauma in current interpreter education. Previous research has typically recognized the need for self-care and focused on general suggestions for coping; the present work uses firsthand accounts from practicing interpreters. To uncover interpreters’ personal experiences, the researcher created an online survey that resulted in 222 qualifying responses. Of the total number of respondents, 83% …

Lived Experiences Of Pakistani American Women Who Sought Mental Health Treatment

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDespite the research on how mental illness manifests in the United States, there is more to be known about mental health in the Pakistani American population. The goal of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of Pakistani American women who sought mental health treatment. Ecological theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semi structured interviews with 10 participants via telephone and face-to-face conversations. Data were analyzed using managing, reading, memoing, describing, classifying, interpreting, representing, and visualizing techniques. Findings indicated that seeking help for mental health played a positive role in participants being …

The Specificity Of Mental Pain In Borderline Personality Disorder Compared To Depressive Disorders And Healthy Controls, Eric Fertuck, Esen Karan

Publications and Research

Background: Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may experience a qualitatively distinct depression which includes “mental pain.” Mental pain includes chronic, aversive emotions, negative self-concept, and a sense of pervasive helplessness. The present study investigated whether mental pain is elevated in BPD compared to Depressive Disorders (DD) without BPD.

Methods: The Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP) was administered to BPD (N = 57), DD (N = 22), and healthy controls (N = 31). The OMMP assesses total mental pain, comprised of nine subtypes: irreversibility, loss of control, narcissistic wounds, emotional flooding, freezing, self-estrangement, confusion, social distancing, and emptiness. …

The Closure Of New Orleans' Charity Hospital After Hurricane Katrina: A Case Of Disaster Capitalism, Kenneth Ott

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Amidst the worst disaster to impact a major U.S. city in one hundred years, New Orleans’ main trauma and safety net medical center, the Reverend Avery C. Alexander Charity Hospital, was permanently closed. Charity’s administrative operator, Louisiana State University (LSU), ordered an end to its attempted reopening by its workers and U.S. military personnel in the weeks following the August 29, 2005 storm. Drawing upon rigorous review of literature and an exhaustive analysis of primary and secondary data, this case study found that Charity Hospital was closed as a result of disaster capitalism. LSU, backed by Louisiana state officials, …