Heart Disease

Learning Objectives


  1. Identify the terms which describe various forms of heart disease.
  2. List three dimensions of anxiety.
  3. Recognize factors that can have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.
  4. Recognize significant symptoms of panic attacks.
  5. Identify signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease.
  6. Describe how cardiac patients’ belief system impacts their risk of depression and
  7. Define factors that increase vulnerability to depression in cardiac patients.
  8. Discuss potential effects of a patient’s inadequate support system.
  9. Describe the relationships between various psychosocial risk factors.
  10. Identify what information must be elicited in obtaining a good medical history.
  11. Describe symptoms which would result in a diagnosis of depression.
  1. Identify those patient characteristics that would predict positive outcomes.
  2. Recognize the advantages of working with a multidisciplinary care team.
  3. Identify the most prominent components of psychotherapeutic methods of treatment for
  4. Recognize the specific challenges inherent in working with cardiac patients.
  5. Discuss the efficacy of different treatment choices.
  6. Describe the various pharmacological and other interventions with cardiac patients.
  7. Assess the effectiveness of the types of interventions chosen in Case I to address the
  8. Identify the types of therapies utilized in Case II, and justify their selection in contrast to

Course Outline

Chapters

  1. Description
    1. Terminology
      1. Heart Disease
      2. Psychiatric Disorders and Psychosocial Problems In Heart Disease
    2. Definitions
      1. Heart Disease
      2. Psychiatric Disorders in Heart Disease
    3. Epidemiology
      1. Heart Disease
      2. Psychiatric Disorders in Heart Disease
    4. Course and Prognosis
      1. Heart Disease
      2. Psychiatric Disorders and Psychosocial Problems In Heart Disease
    5. Differential Diagnosis
      1. Heart Disease
      2. Psychiatric Disorders in Heart Disease
    6. Comorbidities
      1. Medical Comorbidities in Heart Disease
      2. Comorbidity Among Psychiatric Disorders
  2. Theories and Models of the Disorder
    1. Depression
    2. Anxiety
    3. Anger, Hostility, and Type A Behavior
    4. Stress
    5. Low Perceived Social Support
    6. Personality Characteristics
    7. Relationships Among Psychosocial Risk Factors
  3. Diagnosis and Treatment Indications
    1. Introduction
    2. Medical History and Diagnosis
    3. Psychological Evaluation
      1. General Guidelines
      2. Psychiatric Disorders
      3. Psychological Problems
      4. Social/Interpersonal Problems
      5. Health Behavior Problems
    4. Referral Issues
  4. Treatment
    1. Methods of Treatment
      1. Introduction
      2. Psychotherapy
      3. Pharmacotherapy
      4. Working with Families and Significant Others
      5. Working with Physicians and Other Health Care Providers
    2. Mechanisms of Action
    3. Efficacy and Prognosis
    4. Combination Therapy
    5. Problems in Carrying Out Treatment
  5. Case Vignettes
  6. Further Reading
  7. References
  8. Appendix: Tools and Resources
    1. Overview
    2. Dysfunctional Attitudes About Health
    3. Techniques for Overcoming Depression
    4. CBT Problem List
    5. CBT Treatment Planning Table for Cardiac Patients