Question

What evidence do you read that may be indicative of depression?
How can you assess Eugene's baseline functional status?
What coping strategies does Eugene use?
Who are Eugene's support system and how can they help him?
What evidence of anxiety do you hear as Eugene talks?
What are Eugene's strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 1

1. His sad and monotonous monologue itself is indicative of depression. When he says “Who cares at my age? I’m not going to be around forever”, the darker side of depression shows up for the first time, which continues throughout the monologue.

2. Eugene’s baseline functional status shows a decline in functionality due to leg ulcers and toe amputation. His right calf has some awful pains and burning down the sides. Sometimes he can’t sleep at all because of the pain and it gets worse during the day.

3. Eugene tries to get out with his buddy Jim. He drinks beer and a little nip of whiskey at night to help him sleep.
4. Eugene's support system includes his wife Nancy, his buddy Jim, his son Robert Shaw, and his cousin Arthur and his family. They can help him by chatting/talking with him, giving him company, and keeping him engaged.

5. When he says “Who cares at my age? I’m not going to be around forever,” it is an echoing of his anxiety about how long he will live.
6. Eugene’s strengths include his ability to cope up with the situation and his ‘take life as it comes’ attitude. His weaknesses include his anxiety/depression and his habit of living in the past.