Mental Health Nursing - Assessing Mental Health A physical exam is often included in mental health tests to rule out any physical issues. This may include blood tests or urine tests, as well as brain scans. Psychologists also utilize a range of tools to evaluate mental health. These tools range from paper and pencil test forms to more in-depth interviews or self-completed questionnaires via mail. Affect and mood The doctor will first be aware of the patient's mood and affect. They are the general emotional state that can range from joy to sadness or irritability to anger. Affect can be measured by watching facial expressions and manner of speaking as well as the reaction to external or internal stimuli (e.g. smiling at an absurd joke or crying over the loss of a loved one). Affect is an emotion that is only temporary, whereas mood is a state of sustained emotion. It is often described as being either euthymic (normal) or dysphoric, which means depressed. Psychologists should be cautious to avoid confusion between the two terms because they are defined differently and can be affected by a variety of factors. The MSE can be a valuable tool for diagnosing clinical problems however it is difficult to interpret based on an individual patient's report. It is therefore important to inquire about how patients have felt over the past few weeks, rather than relying solely on the observations of doctors. A recent study showed that a large proportion of symptoms, which includes those that are grouped under the same disorder category, differ between assessment tools. This could be due to the different emphasis on cognitive or emotional symptoms as well as the different time periods and frequency of symptom reporting. It is possible that the MSE is based on self-reporting, which may be prone to bias. A patient who reports both a headache and anxiety is likely to get an lower score than one who reports only headache. Patients tend to minimize negative feelings while exaggerating positive ones. Mood and affect influence thought content, which can influence decision-making, interpersonal behaviour and physical functioning. They are affected by fatigue, stress and social interactions. In fact positive moods have been shown to enhance thinking and creativity. A negative mood can cause confusion and decrease concentration. Therefore, a careful and thorough mental health assessment is required to consider the patient's current mood and state of mind as well as the underlying causes. Thought content Examining the way a patient thinks is one of the most important aspects of a mental state exam. Particularly, it is assessing thought process and thoughts. The term thought process refers to the coherence, logic, and organization of a patient's thinking. Normal thought processes are logical and focused on a goal. In several mental health conditions however, thought processing can be altered. Examples include hallucinations and delusions as well as loose associations. A mental state examination also examines judgment and insight. Insight is being able to identify the presence of a problem. Judgment is the capability 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 has impaired judgment or insight in any way, they are at greater risk of harming themselves or others. If they are in danger, their sensible judgement would tell 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 fire. The contents of a patient's mind includes the subject matter, themes, and beliefs. Examiners will evaluate the clarity, relevance, and content of thoughts of the patient. They will take note of any thoughts that are tangential or circumstantial and also whether the patient is having flashes of thoughts (digressions from the conversation subject). They will also comment on the speed of someone's thoughts, such as whether they seem fast or slow. It is also essential to determine whether the patient's mood is similar to their surroundings. Patients suffering from depression may hear angry voices, whereas someone suffering from schizophrenia may experience an illusion that a calm voice is speaking. Ask the patient if they are experiencing any suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Although they are uncommon but they could be life-threatening and should be considered in every mental health assessment. Watching The nurse's ability to observe is essential in a mental assessment. They are a thorough review of appearance, behaviour, any unusual beliefs and perceptions (such as hallucinations or delusions) mood, and aspects of cognition (including attention to orientation, attention memory, and orientation). A mental health assessment for nursing also includes observing the ability to move, which includes physical movement such as eating drinking, eating, brushing teeth, using the toilet and wearing shoes. The Observation component of the mental health exam is an essential element of determining if a patient may pose a risk to themselves or others. This is done by assessing whether the patient appears be moving in a deliberate way that suggests they are about harming themselves or someone else. In addition, a comprehensive thought content assessment is made by monitoring the patient throughout the interview and identifying their main concerns. It is crucial to determine whether the patient is suffering from suicidal, homicidal, or delusional thoughts. Global assessment of functioning (GAF) which is which is a numerical score ranging from 0 to 100, combines the ability of the person to perform in everyday life and their capability of managing stressors. The GAF is an important component of the mental health assessment and aids in making the treatment decisions. It is important to be aware of the fact that observing a patient's behaviour could cause anxiety, and it is crucial that the procedure is carried out in a manner that does not provoke the patient or make them feel intrusive. It is essential that the patient is fully informed of the purpose of the observations and the duration of the procedure. Nursing observation is a vital ability that should be at the heart of any nursing process. It is crucial to keep in mind that patients might disagree on the extent of observation. If they cannot reach a consensus with staff, they should be able to use an advocate service that can represent their interests and aid them in any discussions about their treatment. This should be a fundamental element of the local observation policy and practice, with the involvement of user groups, to ensure that patients are included in the creation of written information as well as staff training on this aspect of governance in the clinic. Questioning Many people have a difficult to discuss their mental health problems However, loved ones are often able to tell the signs of something being wrong. They can also encourage the person to seek an assessment. These tests can be extremely broad and cover a variety of topics such as mood, appearance and thought process, memory and more. In addition to these tests, mental health professionals will also ask the individual questions regarding their personal life, including what has been going on lately and what their feelings have been like. The test also includes a cognitive assessment, which focuses on the ability of the person to think clearly and recall information. The person could be asked to complete simple tasks such as focussing on a list or objects, remembering lists, or solving math questions. The test can also check the ability of the individual to make sound decisions and use judgment. The test measures a patient's awareness, which is the understanding of their condition and how it affects them. Another vital aspect of a mental health assessment is the person's attitude towards the world, himself and his illness. The tone of voice, the facial expressions, and body expressions of a patient could convey anger, depression, or a feeling of powerlessness. It is important to observe whether the patient appears to be seeking help or accepting their situation. In more serious instances the mental health assessment might include an assessment of the patient's thinking, which could involve hallucinations (false sensory perceptions that do not correspond to real stimuli) or illusions (misperceptions of real stimuli). These conditions can be harmful and even fatal. In general, a mental health assessment should take a holistic approach and look at the person's interactions with their social environment. A health professional could use photographs, music, art or a range of assessment tools that are electronic to better understand the person and their unique view of the world around them. They should also discuss the issues that led to the person to seek help, and reassure that there is nothing wrong with seeing a mental healthcare professional.
mental health assessment
