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Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental Health Mental health assessments often involve a physical examination, to rule out physical problems. This may involve blood work or urine tests, as well as brain scans. Psychologists also use a wide variety of tools to assess mental health. These tools vary from pencil and paper test forms to more in-depth interviews or self-completed postal questionnaires. Mood and affect Mood and affect are among the most significant components of the mental health examination (MSE) and are the first things to be observed by the clinician. They define the patient's general mood that can range from happiness to sadness, or anger to anger. Affect can be measured by looking at facial expressions and demeanour as well as the response to external or internal stimuli (e.g. You can express your emotions by smirking at an absurd joke, or crying when you lose a loved one. Affect is an emotion that is temporary, while mood is a long-lasting emotion. It is usually described as being either euthymic (normal) or dysphoric, which translates to depressed. However, psychiatric specialists must be careful not to confuse the terms because they have different definitions and are influenced by a variety of factors. While the MSE is a useful clinical tool however, it can be difficult to interpret based on a subjective patient reports. Inquiring about the feelings of patients over the past few weeks is more effective than relying solely on observations from a physician. A recent study revealed that a significant proportion of symptoms, which includes those that are grouped under the same disorder category, vary between assessment tools. This could be due to the different emphasis placed on emotional, cognitive or physical symptoms as and also the different duration and frequency of reporting symptom reports. It is possible that the MSE relies on self-reports, which may be prone to bias. For instance, a person who reports anxiety and headaches will likely report less than a patient who reports only a headache. Patients tend to minimize negative emotions while exaggerating positive feelings. Affect and mood can have a direct impact on thought content. This could affect decision-making, interpersonal behavior, and physical performance. They are affected by fatigue, stress and social interactions. Positive moods can increase creativity and mental strength. A negative mood can lead to confusion and lower concentration. A thorough and thoughtful mental health assessment must take into account both the patient's mood and affect, as well as fundamental factors. Thought content One of the most important aspects of a mental health examination is to determine how the patient thinks. Particularly, it is assessing thought process and thoughts. Thought process refers the logic, organization and coherence of a patient's thought processes. A normal thought processes is objective-oriented and logical. Thought processing can be distorted when a person suffers from mental health issues. Examples include delusions, hallucinations and loose associations. A mental state examination also assesses the quality of insight and judgement. Insight is being able to recognize the presence of a problem. Judgment is the ability to make a well-considered choice after receiving information. Both are impaired in many mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. A patient with impaired insight or judgment is more likely to hurt themselves or others. If they are in danger, their sensible judgement would suggest leaving the house immediately. A person with impaired judgment may suggest that they stay in the building to try and get rid of the flame. Thought content includes the topics, subjects and beliefs that a patient holds. Generally, examiners comment on the clarity, connection and the content of a patient's thinking. They will also note tangential thoughts or circumstantial ones, and if the patient has digressions (digressions off from the main topic of the conversation). They will also make comments on the speed at which someone is thinking, for example, if they seem fast or slower. Other important aspects to consider are whether the patient's thoughts are and in tune with their surroundings. A person suffering from depression could be able to hear angry voices, whereas those suffering from schizophrenia may have an illusion that a calm 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 Nurses' observation skills play an important role in an assessment of mental health. They are a thorough examination of behavior, appearance as well as any peculiar beliefs or perceptions (such hallucinations or delusions) mood, cognition (including attention, memory, orientation). The mental status exam for nurses also includes monitoring the movement. This includes any physical movement like eating, drinking or brushing teeth. The Observation element of the mental status examination is a crucial aspect of determining if the patient is posing an imminent risk to themselves or others. This is accomplished by determining whether the patient appears to be acting in a way that suggests they are trying to harm themselves or another person. In addition, a detailed assessment of thought content is done by keeping track of the patient throughout the interview and determining their preoccupations. It is important to check whether the patient is experiencing suicidal, homicidal or delusional thoughts. Global assessment of functioning (GAF) is a numerical rating from 0 to 100, measures the capacity of an individual to function in daily life and their capability of coping with stressors. The GAF is an essential part of the mental state exam and assists in making the treatment decisions. It is important to be aware that observing a patient's behaviour can cause distress and it is essential that the procedure is carried out in a manner that does not cause anxiety for the patient and doesn't make them feel uncomfortable. It is also crucial that the patient is fully aware of the reason for the observation and the amount of time it will last. Nursing observation is an essential skill that should be a key part of the nursing process. It is important to remember that patients might disagree on the level of observation. If they are unable to come to an agreement with staff members, they must be able access an advocate service to represent their interests and assist in any discussions regarding their care. This should be a fundamental part of local observation policy and practice, including the involvement of user groups, to ensure that patients are included in the development of written documents and staff training for this aspect of clinical governance. Questioning Many people have a difficult time talking about their mental health problems However, loved ones can often notice the signs that something is not right. They can also assist the person obtain an assessment. These tests can be extremely broad and cover a wide range of subjects, including mood, appearance and thought process, memory and many more. A mental health professional could also inquire regarding the person's personal life. mouse click the next web page 'll ask them what they've been feeling and what's happened in the last few days. The assessment includes a cognitive evaluation that examines a person's ability think clearly and retain information. The person could be asked to complete basic tasks, such as focussing on a list or objects, recollecting lists or solving math questions. The test can also check the ability of the individual to make sound decisions and make good judgments. The test also assesses the patient's insight and understanding of the illness and its effects on them. The patient's attitude towards himself, others and the illness is also an important aspect of a mental assessment. The tone of voice, the facial expression, and body language of a patient may indicate depression, anger or a sense of powerlessness. It is also important to note whether the patient appears to be seeking help or is content living with their health condition. In more serious situations, an assessment of mental health may include a thorough examination of the patient's thoughts which could include hallucinations or even illusions. These conditions can be dangerous and even deadly. In general the mental health assessment should take a holistic approach and examine the person's relationship to their social environment. Health professionals can employ photographs, music, art or any other electronic assessment tool to better understand the individual. They should also discuss the challenges that led the person to seek help, and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with seeing an expert in mental health.