Mental Health Nursing - Assessing Mental Health

A physical exam is often included in mental health assessments to rule out physical conditions. This could involve blood tests or urine tests, as well as brain scans.

Psychologists also utilize a range of tools to evaluate mental health. These tools vary from pencil and paper test forms, to in-depth interviews or self-completed questionnaires via mail.

Affect and mood

Mood and affect are the most important elements of the mental state examination (MSE) and are the first things to be observed by the clinician. They define a patient's general emotional tone. This can be anything from sadness to happiness or anger and irritability. The affect can be assessed through facial expressions, general demeanor and the response to external or internal stimuli. You can express your feelings by smirking at an absurd joke, or crying when you lose a loved one.

Affect refers to an emotion that is only temporary, whereas mood is a state of sustained emotion. It is usually described as euthymic, or dysphoric or normal (meaning depressed). However, psychiatrists should be cautious not to mix the two since they have different definitions and are influenced by a variety of factors.

While the MSE is a useful diagnostic tool, it isn't always easy to interpret based upon subjective patient reports. Inquiring about the feelings of patients in the last few weeks can be more beneficial than relying on only observations from a physician. A recent study showed that a significant proportion of symptoms, which includes those grouped together within the same disorder category, vary between assessment tools. This could be due to the differing emphasis on cognitive, emotional or physical symptoms as and also the different the duration and frequency of symptom reporting.

It is also possible that the MSE is based on self-reporting, which may be prone to bias. Patients who report both a headache and anxiety is likely to report lower scores than one who reports only a migraine. Patients tend to minimize negative emotions while exaggerating positive ones.

The affect and mood of a person directly affect thoughts which influences the way we make decisions, our interpersonal behavior and physical functioning. They can be influenced by fatigue, stress and social interactions, as well as global events, hormones and weather. In fact, a positive mood has been shown to enhance thinking and creativity. However, a mood that is negative can reduce concentration and lead to confusion. A thorough and careful mental health assessment should consider the patient's mood as well as affect, as well as other factors.

Thought content

One of the most essential elements of a mental status examination is to determine how the patient thinks. Particularly, evaluating thought processes and thought content. The term "thought process" refers to the logic, organization and coherence of a patient's thinking. Normal thought processes are goal directed and logic-based. In many mental health disorders however, the thought process can be altered. Examples include delusions, hallucinations and loose associations.

Insight and judgment are evaluated during a mental status exam. Insight is being able to spot a problem. Judgment is the ability to make a rational decision after receiving information. Both are impaired in various mental health conditions, such as depression and schizophrenia. A person who isn't able to see or judgment is more likely to harm themselves or others. If they are in danger, their rational judgement would suggest leaving the home immediately. However, a person with impaired judgment may suggest staying in the building and trying to put out the fire.

Thought content includes the topics, subject matter, and beliefs that a patient holds. Examiners will assess the clarity, relevance and content of a patient's thoughts. They will take note of any thoughts that are circumstantial or tangential and also whether the patient is having flashes of ideas (digressions from the conversation subject). They will also provide feedback on the pace at which a person is thinking, such as whether they seem to be faster or slower.

It is also important to determine if the patient's mood is in line with their surroundings. A patient with depression might be able to hear angry voices, whereas a person suffering from schizophrenia may have a hallucination that a soothing voice is speaking. Ask the patient if they are experiencing any thoughts of suicide or homicide. These are uncommon, but could be life-threatening and should be taken into account during every mental health assessment.

Observation

A nurse's observation skills are crucial in the mental health assessment. They are a thorough examination of appearance, behavior and any peculiar beliefs or perceptions (such delusions or hallucinations) mood, cognition (including attention, memory and orientation). A nursing mental status examination also involves observing mobility, which includes any physical movement, such as eating, drinking, brushing teeth, using the toilet and wearing shoes.

The observation component of the mental health examination is a crucial aspect of determining whether or not the patient could pose an imminent risk to themselves or others. This is done by assessing whether the patient appears to be acting in a manner that suggests that they may be threatening to harm themselves or anyone else.

A detailed evaluation of the content of thoughts is also made by monitoring the patient during the interview and determining the 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 from 0 to 100 that combines the ability of a person to function in daily life and their ability to deal with the stresses that come with life. The GAF is an important element of the core 10 Mental health Assessment state exam and assists in guiding treatment decisions.

It is crucial to be aware that observing an individual's behavior could cause anxiety, and it is important to conduct the procedure in a manner that does not provoke the patient and does not feel intrusive. It is also vital that the patient is fully aware of the reason for the observation and the length of time it will last.

Nursing observation is an important ability and should be a key part of the nursing process. However, it should be kept in mind that patients could disagree with the level of observation and if they are unable to come to an agreement with staff then they should have access to an advocate service that can represent their interests and support them in any discussions regarding their treatment. This should be a component of the local policy and practice, with the involvement and the support of user groups.

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 help the person to seek an assessment. These assessments can be conducted on a variety of subjects, including mood, appearance and the thought process. In addition to these tests, mental health assessment service health professionals will also ask the individual questions regarding their personal life, such as what's been happening lately and what their feelings have been like.

The assessment includes a cognitive evaluation that examines a person's ability to think clearly and remember information. The person could be asked to complete basic tasks, such as focussing on a list or objects, memorizing lists or solving math questions. The test can be used to test the individual's judgment and ability to make sound decisions. The assessment determines a patient's insight which is their understanding of their condition and how it affects them.

Another vital aspect of an assessment of mental health is the person's attitude toward the world, himself and his illness. The tone of voice, facial expressions, and body expressions of a patient could convey anger, depression, or a feeling of helplessness. It is also important to note whether the patient is seeking help or just living with their condition.

In more serious cases the assessment of mental health could include a thorough examination of the patient's mental health physical assessment state that may include hallucinations or illusions. It is important to note the presence of these conditions because they can be extremely hazardous and even life-threatening.

A mental health assessment should be holistic and examine the person's interaction with their social world. A health professional could use art, music, photos or a variety of assessment tools that are electronic to help the person understand themselves and their unique view of the world around them. They should also talk with the person about the issues that have led them to seek help and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with seeking out an expert in mental health.