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Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental Health Mental health assessments typically include a physical exam to rule out physical problems. This could include blood tests, urine test or even brain scans. Psychologists employ a variety of tools to assess mental health. They can use pen and paper test forms to in-depth interviews, or self-complete questionnaires for postal delivery. Affect and mood The clinician will first notice the patient's mood and affect. They define a patient's general emotional state. This could be anything from sadness to happiness or anger and irritability. The degree of affect can be determined by looking at facial expressions and manner of speaking as well as the reactivity to internal or external stimuli (e.g. You can express your feelings by laughing at an absurd joke, or crying when you lose a beloved one. Affect is a short-term emotion but mood is a more long-lasting emotional state. It is often described as either euthymic (normal) or dysphoric, which means depressed. However, psychiatrists must be careful not to confuse the terms as they have varying definitions and are affected by a range of factors. The MSE can be a useful instrument for diagnosing clinical conditions however, it can be difficult to interpret based on an individual patient's report. It is therefore helpful to ask patients how they've felt over the past few weeks, as opposed to relying solely on the observations of doctors. Recent research has revealed that assessment tools differed in their ability to detect a substantial part of symptoms. This included those that were grouped under the same disorder. This could be due the different emphasis placed on cognitive, emotional or physical symptoms, as and also the different duration and frequency of symptom reporting. It is possible that the MSE is based solely on self-reporting, which could be biased. For instance, a person who complains of anxiety and a headache is likely to report less than a patient who reports only the sensation of a headache. Additionally there is an inclination for patients to downplay negative feelings and overestimate the severity of positive feelings. Mood and affect directly affect the content of thoughts and can affect decision-making, interpersonal behaviour and physical functioning. They are influenced by fatigue, stress and social interactions, as well as world events, hormones, and even the weather. In fact, a positive mood has been shown to enhance creativity and thinking power. A negative mood can lead to confusion and decrease concentration. A thorough and meticulous mental health assessment must take into account the patient's mood and affect and the other factors. private mental health assessment cost of the most essential aspects of a mental state exam is assessing how a patient thinks. Evaluation of the thought process and its content. Thought process refers the logic, organization and coherence of a patient's thinking. Normal thought processes are rational and focused on goals. In several mental health conditions however, the thought process is distorted. Examples include hallucinations, delusions and loose associations. Insight and judgement are also assessed during a mental state exam. Insight is being able to recognize a problem. Judgment is the capability to make a well-considered choice after receiving information. Both are affected by a variety of mental health issues like depression and schizophrenia. Patients with impaired insight or judgement is more likely to harm themselves or others. If they are in danger, their sensible judgement would tell to leave the premises immediately. However, a person with impaired judgment might recommend staying in the house and trying to put out the fire. Thought content refers to the topics, subjects and beliefs that a patient has. Examiners generally comment on the clarity, connection and quality of a patient's thought. They will also note tangential thoughts or those that are merely circumstantial, and in the event that the patient's thoughts diverge (digressions off from the main topic of the conversation). They will also comment on the speed of someone's thoughts, for instance, whether they seem fast or slow. Other areas to be considered are whether the patient's thoughts are compatible or not in line with their surroundings. Patients suffering from depression may hear angry voices, whereas those suffering from schizophrenia might experience the illusion that a peaceful voice is speaking. Ask the patient if they've had any thoughts of suicide or homicide. These are rare but can be life-threatening and should be taken into consideration during every mental health assessment. Watching The nurse's ability to observe is vital in the mental assessment. They will conduct a thorough examination of the appearance, behavior, any unusual beliefs and perceptions (such as hallucinations or delusions) mood, as well as aspects of cognition (including attention, orientation memory, and orientation). A nursing mental status examination also incorporates observation of the ability to move, which includes physical activity like eating or drinking, brushing your teeth or using the toilet, as well as wearing shoes. The Observation component of the mental health examination is vital in determining if a patient poses a risk to themselves or anyone else. This is accomplished by determining whether the patient appears to be moving in a way that suggests that they are about to harm themself or someone else. In addition, a comprehensive assessment of thought content is done by keeping track of the patient throughout the interview and identifying their preoccupations. It is important to check whether the patient is experiencing suicidal, homicidal, or delusional thoughts. Global assessment of functioning (GAF) is an assessment of functioning in numerical form, ranging between 0 and 100, measures the capacity of the person to function in daily life and their capability of dealing with stressors. The GAF is a crucial part of the mental status exam and assists in guiding the treatment decisions. It is essential to be aware that observing a patient's behaviour can cause anxiety and it is crucial that the process is conducted in a manner that does not cause anxiety for the patient and doesn't be uncomfortable for them. It is essential that the patient is aware of the goal of the observation and the duration of the procedure. Nursing observation is a vital skill that must be at the heart of any nursing process. It is essential to remember that patients might disagree on the level of observation. If they are unable to come to an agreement with staff, they should be able to use an advocate service to represent their interests and aid them in any discussions about their treatment. This should be part of the local policy and practice, with the involvement and support of user groups. Questioning Many people are hesitant to discuss their mental health issues, but family members can usually detect if something is not right. They can also help the person get an assessment. These tests can be extremely broad and cover a range of subjects, including mood, appearance as well as memory, thought process and many more. A mental health professional can also ask questions regarding the person's personal life. They will ask them what they feel and what has happened recently. The assessment includes an evaluation of the cognitive capacity that examines a person's ability to think clearly and remember information. The test subject may ask to complete basic tasks, such as focusing their attention on an alphabet of objects or words, memorizing simple lists or solving math problems. The test will also test the ability of the individual to make good decisions and use judgment. The test determines a person's awareness, which is the understanding of their illness and how it affects them. The patient's attitude towards himself, others and the illness is also an important part of a mental evaluation. The tone of voice, the facial expressions, and body language of a patient may signal depression, anger or a sense of utter powerlessness. It is also important to determine whether the patient appears to be seeking help or resigned to living with their illness. In more serious instances the assessment of mental health may include an examination the patient's mental state which could include hallucinations or even illusions. These conditions can be dangerous and even deadly. A mental health assessment should be holistic and focus on the person's relationship with their environment. A health professional might use photographs, music, art or a variety of electronic assessment tools to help the person understand themselves and their unique perspective on the world around them. They should also talk about the challenges that led the person to seek help, and reassure that there is nothing wrong with seeing a mental health professional.