honeyinch07

Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental Health A physical examination is typically part of mental health assessments to rule out physical issues. This may include blood tests, urine tests or brain scans. Psychologists utilize a variety instruments to evaluate mental health. These range from pen and paper test forms to deep interviews or self-fill questionnaires sent to you by post. Affect and mood Mood and affect are the most significant elements of the mental state examination (MSE) and are the first thing to be viewed by the doctor. They are the general mood, which can range from happiness to sadness or irritability to anger. The degree of affect can be determined by observing facial expressions and overall demeanour as well as the reaction to external or internal stimuli (e.g. smiling at a joke or crying at the loss of a loved one). Affect refers to an emotion that is only temporary, whereas mood is a state of constant emotion. It is generally described as euthymic or normal, or dysphoric (meaning depression). However, psychiatric specialists must be careful not to confuse the terms because they have different definitions and are affected by a range of factors. The MSE can be a valuable instrument for diagnosing clinical conditions however, it can be difficult to interpret based on an individual patient's report. It is therefore beneficial to ask patients how they've been feeling over the last few weeks, as opposed to using only the observation of a physician. A recent study revealed that a significant percentage of symptoms, including those that fall under the same disorder category, vary between assessment tools. This could be due to the different emphasis placed on cognitive, emotional or physical symptoms, as well as differences in time periods and frequency of symptom reporting. It is possible that the MSE is based solely on self-reporting, which can be biased. For instance, a patient who reports a headache and anxiety is likely to report less than someone who has only an occasional headache. Patients tend to minimize negative feelings while exaggerating positive ones. what is mental health assessment and mood of a person directly affect the content of thoughts which influences the way we make decisions, our interpersonal behavior and physical performance. They are affected by fatigue, stress and social interactions. A positive mood can boost creativity and mental energy. A negative mood can reduce concentration and lead to confusion. A thorough and careful mental health evaluation must take into account both the patient's mood and affect as well as the other factors. Thought content The ability to determine how a patient thinks is among the most important aspects of a mental health examination. Evaluation of the thought process and its content. Thought process refers to the coherence, logic and organization of a patient's thought processes. Normal thought processes are rational and focused on a goal. Thought processing can be altered when a person suffers from mental health issues. Examples include hallucinations, delusions and loose associations. Insight and judgement are assessed in a mental status test. Insight is being able to spot problems. Judgment is the ability of making a well-considered decision after receiving information. Both are affected by a variety of mental health issues such as depression and schizophrenia. If a patient suffers from impaired judgment and/or insight is at a higher risk of harming themselves or others. If they are in danger, their rational judgment would advise them to leave the home immediately. A patient with impaired judgement may suggest that they stay in the building to try to get rid of the flame. The content of a patient's thoughts encompasses their subject matter, themes and beliefs. Examiners will evaluate the clarity, relatedness and the content of the thoughts of the patient. They will note any thoughts that are circumstantial or tangential, and whether the patient is having flashes of thoughts (digressions from the topic of conversation). They will also make comments on the speed of a person's thoughts, such as whether they seem to be fast or slow. Other areas to be considered are whether the patient's thoughts are mood and in tune with their surroundings. For example, a patient who is depressed could hear voices that are angry and threatening, while someone suffering from schizophrenia could be able to imagine the sound of a calm and soothing voice. Ask the patient if they have any suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Although they are not common but they could be life-threatening and should be taken into account in every mental health assessment. Observation The ability of nurses to observe is essential in a mental assessment. They are a thorough examination of appearance, behavior, any peculiar beliefs or perceptions (such hallucinations or delusions) mood, cognition (including memory, attention, orientation). The nursing mental status exam also includes monitoring motility. This includes any physical movement like eating, drinking and brushing teeth. The observation component of the mental state examination is crucial in determining if the patient is a danger to them or anyone else. This is accomplished by determining whether or not the patient appears to be moving in a way that suggests that they are about to harm themselves or anyone else. A detailed assessment of the thought-based content is also made by monitoring the patient during the interview and determining thoughts and concerns. It is crucial to determine whether the patient is suffering from suicidal, homicidal, or delusional thoughts. A global assessment of functioning (GAF) is an evaluation of the numerical value on a scale of zero to 100 that evaluates a person's ability to perform in daily life along with their capacity to handle the stressors in their life. The GAF is a crucial component of the mental state examination and aids in making treatment decisions. It is crucial to be aware that watching a patient's behaviour could cause anxiety, and it is crucial to conduct the procedure in a way that does not provoke the patient and doesn't make them feel uncomfortable. It is crucial that the patient is fully informed of the purpose of the observations and the duration of the process. Nursing observation is an important ability and should be an integral element of the nursing process. However, it must be kept in mind that patients could be dissatisfied with the quality of observation and if they are unable to reach an agreement with the staff, they should be able to access an advocate service which can represent their interests and assist them in any discussions regarding their care. This should be a part of local policy and practice, with the involvement and support of groups of users. Questioning Many people have a hard to discuss their mental health issues, but loved ones are often able to tell the signs of something being wrong. They can also assist the person to get an assessment. These assessments can be very broad and cover a variety of topics such as mood, appearance, memory, thought process and more. In addition to these tests, the mental health professional will also ask the person questions regarding their personal life, including what has been going on recently and what their feelings have been like. The assessment includes a cognitive evaluation that examines a person's ability to think clearly and retain information. The person may be required to complete basic tasks such as paying attention to a list of objects, remembering lists, or solving math questions. The test will also test the ability of the individual to make informed decisions and use their judgment. The test also evaluates the patient's insight that reflects their knowledge of their illness and its impact on them. The person's attitude towards others, himself and the illness is also an important element of a mental assessment. The patient's tone of voice, facial expression and body language can indicate hostility, anger, depression or a sense of powerlessness. It is important to check whether the patient appears to be asking for assistance or is accepting their situation. In more serious situations an assessment of mental health could include a thorough examination of the patient's mental state that could include hallucinations (false sensory perceptions without real stimuli) or illusions (misperceptions of real stimuli). It is important to note the presence of these conditions as they can be extremely risky and even life-threatening. A mental health assessment must be holistic and focus on the person's interaction with their environment. A health professional can use images, music, or art, or any other electronic assessment tool to better understand the individual. They should also talk with the person about the difficulties that led them to seek help and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with seeking out an expert in mental health.