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Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental Health A physical exam is often part of mental health assessments to rule out any physical ailments. This may include blood tests, urine tests or brain scans. Iam Psychiatry use a wide range of tools to evaluate mental health. These tools be anything from pencil and paper test forms to more in-depth interviews or self-completed questionnaires for postal mail. Affect and mood The clinician will first notice the patient's mood as well as their affect. They describe a patient's general emotional state. This could vary from joy to sadness or anger and irritability. The affect can be assessed by facial expressions, overall attitude and response to external or internal stimuli. You can express your feelings by smirking at an absurd joke, or crying when you lose a beloved one. Affect refers to an emotion that is only temporary, whereas mood is a state of sustained emotion. It is usually described as euthymic, dysphoric, or normal (meaning depression). Professionals in psychiatry must be careful to not confuse the two terms, as they are interpreted differently and can be affected by many factors. The MSE is a helpful tool for diagnosing clinical problems however it is difficult to interpret from a subjective patient report. It is therefore beneficial to ask patients how they have felt over the past few weeks, as opposed to using only the observation of a physician. A recent study showed that a large proportion of symptoms, even those grouped together under the same disorder category, differ between assessment tools. This can be because of the different emphasis on cognitive or emotional symptoms as well as differences between time periods and frequency of the reporting of symptoms. It is possible that the MSE relies solely on self-reporting, which can be biased. For instance, a patient who reports a headache and anxiety will likely have less than a person who describes only the sensation of a headache. In addition, there is a tendency for patients to minimize negative emotions and overestimate the severity of positive feelings. The affect and mood of a person directly affect thoughts, which can influence the way people make decisions, their interpersonal behavior, and physical functioning. They can be affected by fatigue, stress and social interactions. A positive mood can enhance creativity and mental power. A negative mood can decrease concentration and cause confusion. Therefore, a thorough and thorough mental health evaluation needs to consider the patient's current mood and state of mind as in addition to the underlying causes. Thought content Examining the way a patient thinks is among the most crucial aspects of a mental state examination. Particularly, evaluating thought processes and thoughts. The thought process is the coherence, logic and structure of the patient's thoughts. A normal thought processes is goal directed and logic-based. In several mental health conditions however, the thought process can be altered. Examples include hallucinations, delusions and loose associations. A mental health assessment also assesses the quality of insight and judgement. Insight is the ability to recognize a problem. Judgment is the capability to make a rational decision after receiving information. Both are impaired in several mental health conditions, like schizophrenia and depression. If a patient is impaired in insight and/or judgement in any way, they are at greater risk of causing harm to themselves or others. For instance if they are in danger of destroying their home, sensible judgement would tell them to leave the house immediately. A patient with impaired judgment might suggest they stay in the house to try to get rid of the flame. The thoughts of a patient encompasses the subject matter, themes, and beliefs. Examiners generally comment on the clarity, connection and quality of a patient's thinking. They will be able to identify tangential ideas or circumstantial ones, and when a patient is digressing (digressions away from the topic of the conversation). They will also make comments on the pace at which a person is thinking, such as if they seem to be faster or slower. It is also crucial to determine if the patient's mood is in line with the environment in which they live. Patients suffering from depression may be able to hear angry voices, whereas those suffering from schizophrenia may have the illusion that a peaceful voice is speaking. A patient should also be asked about any homicidal or suicidal thought. These are uncommon, but could be life-threatening and should be taken into account in every mental health assessment. Observation A nurse's observation skills play an important role in the mental health assessment. They will conduct a thorough examination of the appearance, behavior, any unusual beliefs and perceptions (such as hallucinations or delusions), mood, and aspects of cognition (including attention to the environment, orientation memory, and orientation). The nursing mental state exam is also a way of observing motility. This includes any physical movement, like eating, drinking and brushing teeth. The Observation portion of the mental health examination is essential in determining whether the patient is a danger to them or others. This is done by assessing if the patient appears to be acting in a manner that suggests they are about harming themselves or someone else. Additionally, a thorough assessment of the content of thoughts is conducted by keeping track of the patient throughout the interview and determining their thoughts and concerns. It is particularly important to determine if a patient is suffering from suicidal or violent thoughts and to determine if they're experiencing delusions. Global assessment of functioning (GAF), which is a numerical score ranging from 0 to 100, combines the ability of an individual to function in daily life with their ability of coping with stressors. The GAF is an important component of the mental health exam and assists in guiding treatment decisions. It is essential to be aware that watching an individual's behavior could cause anxiety, and it is essential to conduct the procedure in a manner that doesn't provoke the patient or make them be uncomfortable for them. It is also vital that the patient is aware of the reason for the observation and the amount of time it will last. Nursing observation is a crucial ability that should be at the heart of any nursing program. It is essential to remember that patients can disagree with staff about the degree of observation. If they are unable to reach a consensus 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 part of the local policy and practice, with the participation and support of groups of users. Questioning Many people have a difficult to discuss their mental health issues, but loved ones are often able to tell when something is wrong. They can also help the person to obtain an assessment. These tests can be a variety of topics such as mood, appearance and the thought process. A mental health professional could also ask questions about the person's personal life. They will ask what they've been feeling and what's happened recently. The assessment includes an evaluation of the cognitive capacity which focuses on an individual's ability to think clearly and retain information. The test taker may be asked to complete basic tasks, such as focusing their attention on a list of objects or words and recollecting lists of basic information or solving math problems. The test will also test the person's ability to make sound decisions and make good judgments. The test also evaluates the patient's understanding that reflects their understanding of their illness and its impact on them. The patient's attitude toward others, himself and the illness is also an important part of a mental evaluation. The tone of voice, the facial expression, and the body language of a patient can convey anger, depression, or a feeling of helplessness. It is also important to determine whether the patient appears to be seeking help or is content living with their condition. In more serious instances, an assessment of mental health could include a thorough examination of the patient's thoughts, which may involve hallucinations or even illusions. These conditions can be harmful and even deadly. A mental health assessment should be comprehensive and look at the person's interaction with their environment. A health professional could use photographs, music, art or a range of electronic assessment tools to better understand the person and their unique perspective on the world around them. They should also talk to the person about the issues that led them to seek help and assure them that there is nothing wrong with seeking out an expert in mental health.