Foundation for Professional Development

Mood and Anxiety Disorders

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Short course

Course type

6 hrs

Study time

Online

Mode of learning

6 CPD points

6 Clinical
(70% average required)

Course overview

Mental health conditions are among the most common challenges encountered in primary care, yet they are often under‑recognised or misdiagnosed—leading to delayed treatment, unnecessary suffering, and preventable complications. As anxiety, depression, and reproductive‑related mental health conditions continue to rise, healthcare professionals need practical, up‑to‑date knowledge to assess, diagnose, treat, and refer patients with confidence. This course equips you with the essential skills to navigate these increasingly prevalent clinical scenarios.

Mood and Anxiety Disorders is a comprehensive, highly engaging 6‑hour course designed to strengthen your diagnostic and treatment decision‑making across a wide spectrum of mental health presentations. You’ll explore five critical modules, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive‑compulsive disorders, mental health conditions linked to the female reproductive cycle, and modern evidence‑based treatments for depression. Each module focuses on practical assessment strategies and clear decision pathways to help you determine when to treat and when to refer.

Your learning concludes with a short quiz, and achieving 70% earns you 6 HPCSA‑accredited CPD points. Whether you’re a general practitioner, nurse, or other health professional, this course empowers you to deliver empathetic, accurate, and timely mental health care.
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Who is this course for?

South African Doctors

Required qualification

MBCHB

Course level

Intermediate

Develop your professional skills

This course will strengthen your ability to confidently assess, diagnose, and manage common mood and anxiety disorders encountered in primary care.

By completing this course, you will develop the following professional skills:

  • Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Skills:
    Apply DSM-5 criteria to identify conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and OCD.

  • Risk Assessment & Decision-Making:
    Conduct effective suicide risk assessments and determine appropriate levels of care, including referral to specialist services.

  • Evidence-Based Treatment Planning:
    Select and initiate appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including SSRIs, CBT, and referral pathways.

  • Holistic Patient Management:
    Integrate biological, psychological, and social factors into patient care, including addressing barriers such as stigma, adherence, and social support.

  • Management of Special Populations:
    Recognise and manage mental health conditions related to the female reproductive cycle, including PMDD, perinatal mental health, and perimenopausal mood changes.

  • Clinical Communication Skills:
    Communicate effectively with patients about diagnosis, treatment options, and sensitive topics such as suicidality and mental health stigma.

About the academic institution

Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) is a South African Private Institution of Higher Education established in October 1997 by the South African Medical Association and has been registered with the DHET since 2002.

580 000+
Students 

27
Years

110
countries

FPD contact info

  shortprog@foundation.co.za
  +27 12 110 4080

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Course Lessons

  • Certificate included

    Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Foundation for Professional Development, a name synonymous with excellence in professional growth.

Course developer 

Dr
Wouie Basson
Dr Wouie Basson is a general practitioner specializing in mental health, practicing both virtually and from her clinic in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa. She is self-employed and committed to delivering accessible, high-quality mental health care. A graduate of Stellenbosch University, she focuses on patient-centered treatment, leveraging telehealth to expand reach. Her work reflects a growing trend in integrating digital platforms into mental health services, especially in underserved regions.
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Student testimonials

FPD is the best learning platform I found so far. I was pleasantly surprised with the possibilities.
- Josh Stobbard
FPD is the best learning platform I found so far. I was pleasantly surprised with the possibilities.
- Josh Stobbard
FPD is the best learning platform I found so far. I was pleasantly surprised with the possibilities.
- Josh Stobbard
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