A 28-year-old female veteran presents for complaints of fatigue, increased sleeping, and weight gain. She states she has had depression off and on since she was discharged from the Army four years ago but denies any other health problems. She is not currently on any prescription medication and has never been hospitalized. She tells you that she is between jobs and currently doesn’t have a home, so she ‘couch-surfs’ with friends and relatives or sometimes sleeps in her car.
What are your differentials? What diagnostics should you perform? Discuss and name the specific veteran resources in your clinic’s community for referral. Include these specific resources in your treatment plan, as well as diagnostics, treatment, education, and follow-up. Use high-level scholarly journals and clinical practice guidelines. Avoid point-of-care references for this discussion.