Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper

Sleep/Wake Disorder: Restless Leg Syndrome

Diagnostic Criteria

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2013), the specific criteria for RLS are as follows: Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper

  • An impulse to move the legs that is typically followed by or respond to unpleasant and disturbing impulses in the legs, defined by all of the following: (1) the impulse to move the legs starts or intensifies during times of inactivity or relaxation; (2) the impulse to move is partly or entirely resolved by moving; and (3) the impulse to move the legs is stronger at night.
  • Symptoms appear three or more times a week and remain for a minimum of three months.

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  • Symptoms cause severe impairment or distress in behavioral, educational, occupational, or other social domains of functioning;
  • Symptoms do not relate to another behavioral condition (such as habitual foot-tapping, positional discomfort) or psychiatric illness or medical condition (such as leg cramps, arthritis, leg edema)
  • The discomfort cannot be justified by the impact of the use of medications or drug abuse.

Evidenced-Based Psychotherapy and Psychopharmacologic Treatment

Restless leg syndrome is a disabling disorder categorized by a sensation of uneasiness, particularly on the lower limbs. Restless leg syndrome mostly results due to depression and anxiety. Patients with RLS have an overpowering urge to move their legs. It worsens when an individual is at rest. Evidence-based psychotherapy such as having a good sleep routine, consuming iron, massage, exercise, temperature changes, and electrical stimulations can be used to relieve the symptoms (Cuellar, 2014) Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper.

On the other hand, psychopharmacologic treatment requires the active involvement of the patients in the decision-making process regarding the pharmacological management of the disorder. Some of the drugs that have been suggested as possible therapies include dopamine precursors, alpha2 agonists, opiates, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines (Cuellar, 2014). These drugs do not cure the condition, but they only relieve the symptoms. Some medications, such as allergy, anti-nausea, and antidepressants, should be avoided since they may increase RLS symptoms.

The Exact Point I Would Refer the Client to their Primary Care Physician for an Additional Referral to a Neurologist, Pulmonologist, or Physician Specializing in Sleep Disorders

Restless leg syndrome usually affects the quality of sleep, causing drowsiness during the day, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression that have an important impact on the quality of life of the affected people, a situation for which it can be sent to specialized consultation. To the interfered sleep, tests may be required to be performed by the neurologist such as polysomnography in which brain function, respiratory rate, and heartbeat will be evaluated while the patient sleeps and with this rule out other possible causes of sleep such as obstructive apnea (Becker, 2015). The neurologist can also request electromyography and nerve conduction studies which serve to rule out injuries to the roots and peripheral nerves of the extremities as a cause of the injury, also the sleep specialist can request the suggested immobilization test to evaluate the behavior of the patient’s motor restlessness Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper.

References

Becker, P. M. (2015). Diagnosis of restless leg syndrome (Willis-Ekbom Disease). Sleep medicine clinics, 10(3), 235-240.

Cuellar, N. G. (2014). The psychopharmacological management of RLS in psychiatric conditions: a review of the literature. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 18(4), 214-225.

Edition, F. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Am Psychiatric Assoc.

Week 10 Discussion: Sleep/Wake Disorders: RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

 APA 7TH ED. 3 REFERENCES WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

 Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze diagnostic criteria for sleep/wake disorders
  • Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for sleep/wake disorders
  • Analyze criteria for referring clients to primary care physicians for treatment of sleep/wake disorders
  • Compare differential diagnostic features of sleep/wake disorders

To prepare for this Discussion: Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper

  • By Day 5 of Week 9, your Instructor will have assigned you a sleep/wake disorder, which will be the focus of your original post for this Discussion.
  • Review the Learning Resources.

By Day 3

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Post:

  • Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.
  • Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.
  • Describe at what point you would refer the client to their primary care physician for an additional referral to a neurologist, pulmonologist, or physician specializing in sleep disorders and explain why.
  • Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource Diagnosis Of Restless Leg Syndrome Essay Example Paper