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Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental HealthMental health assessments usually include a physical exam to rule out physical problems. This may include blood tests and urine tests as well as brain scans.Psychologists employ a variety of instruments 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 moodThe clinician will first notice the patient’s mood and emotional state. They describe the patient’s general emotional state that can range from joy to sadness, or anger to anger. Affect can be assessed by looking at facial expressions and demeanour as well as the reactivity to internal or external stimuli (e.g. You can express your feelings by smirking at the joke or crying when you lose a beloved one.Affect refers to an emotion that is temporary, while mood is a long-lasting emotion. It is usually described as either euthymic (normal) or dysphoric, which means depressed. Psychiatric professionals should be careful to avoid confusion between the two terms because they are defined differently and can be affected by various factors.While the MSE is a helpful clinical tool, it can be difficult to interpret based upon subjective patient report. It is therefore beneficial to ask patients how they’ve felt over the past few weeks, rather than using only the observation of a physician. A recent study showed that a significant percentage of symptoms, which includes those that are grouped under the same disorder category, differ between assessment tools. This can be because of the different emphasis on emotional or cognitive symptoms, as well as the different time periods and frequency of the reporting of symptoms.It is also possible that the MSE relies on self-reports which could be susceptible to bias. For instance, a person who complains of anxiety and headaches will likely have less than someone who has only a headache. Patients tend to minimize negative feelings while exaggerating positive ones.Affect and mood have a direct impact on thought content and can affect decision-making, interpersonal behaviour, and physical functioning. They can be affected by stress, fatigue, social interactions, world events, hormones, and even the weather. A positive mood can actually increase creativity and mental strength. A negative mood can cause confusion and reduce concentration. Therefore, a careful and thorough mental health assessment needs to consider the patient’s current mood and state of mind as in addition to the underlying causes.Thought contentExamining the way a patient thinks is one of the most crucial aspects of a mental health examination. Particularly, it is assessing thought process and thought content. The thought process is the coherence, logic, and organization of the patient’s thoughts. The normal process of thinking is focused and rational. Thought processing may be altered in a variety of mental health conditions. Examples include hallucinations and delusions as well as loose associations.Insight and judgement are also assessed in a mental status exam. Insight is the ability to see the presence of an issue, and judgement is the ability to make a considered decision when presented with information. Both are affected by various mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. If a patient is impaired in judgment and/or insight is at greater risk of harming themselves or others. If they are in danger, their rational judgement would suggest leaving the premises immediately. A patient with impaired judgement might suggest that they remain in the building to try to get rid of the flame.Thought content is the topics, subject matter, and beliefs that a patient has. Generally, examiners comment on the clarity, relevance and content of a patient’s thoughts. They will note tangential thoughts or circumstantial ones, and in the event that the patient’s thoughts diverge (digressions away from the topic of the conversation). They will also make comments on the speed of someone’s thoughts, such as whether they seem fast or slow.Other important areas to consider are whether the patient’s thoughts are mood and in tune with their surroundings. Patients suffering from depression may hear voices of anger, while those suffering from schizophrenia may experience the illusion that a peaceful voice is speaking. Patients should be asked about any homicidal or suicidal thoughts. Although these are rare however, they can be life-threatening and should be taken into consideration in every mental health assessment.WatchingThe nurse’s ability to watch is essential in a mental assessment. They will conduct a thorough examination of the appearance, behavior and any strange beliefs or perceptions (such as hallucinations or delusions), mood, and aspects of cognition (including attention to the environment, orientation memory). The nursing mental state exam also includes monitoring the movement. This is any physical activity, such as eating, drinking or brushing teeth.The Observation portion of the mental health examination is vital in determining if the patient poses a risk to themselves or others. This is done by assessing whether the patient appears to be acting in a deliberate way that suggests they are about harming themselves or someone else.In addition, a comprehensive thought content assessment is made by observing the patient throughout the interview and identifying their thoughts and concerns. It is crucial to determine whether the patient is suffering from suicidal, homicidal or delusional thoughts.Global assessment of functioning (GAF) is which is a numerical score ranging from 0 to 100, combines the ability of an individual to perform in everyday life and their capability of dealing with stressors. private mental health assessment is a key part of the mental state examination and helps guide treatment decisions.It is essential to be aware that watching the behavior of a patient can cause distress and it is essential to conduct the procedure in a way that does not provoke the patient or make them feel intrusive. It is also vital that the patient is informed about the purpose of 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 process. It is important to remember that patients may disagree about the extent of observation. If they cannot reach a consensus with staff members, they must be able access an advocate service that can represent their interests and aid them in any discussions about their care. This should be a component of local policy and practice, with the involvement and support of user groups.QuestioningMany people have a hard to talk about their mental health issues however, family members will often be able to recognize when something is wrong. They can also help the person to seek an assessment. These assessments be conducted on a variety of subjects such as mood, appearance and the thought process. In addition to these tests, mental health professionals will also ask the individual questions about their personal life, such as what’s happened lately and what their feelings have been like.The test also includes a cognitive evaluation, which focuses on the ability of the person to think clearly and remember information. The test taker may be asked to complete basic tasks, like focusing their attention on an alphabet of words or objects and recollecting lists of basic information or solving math problems. The test can also be used to check 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.The person’s attitude towards others, himself and the illness is an important part of a mental evaluation. The tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language of a patient can convey anger, depression, or a feeling of utter powerlessness. It is also important to note whether the patient appears to be seeking help or just living with their condition.In more serious instances, an assessment of mental health may include a thorough examination of the patient’s thinking which could include hallucinations or even illusions. These conditions can be harmful and even deadly.In general, a mental health assessment should take a holistic approach and consider the person’s relationship to their social environment. A health professional might use images, music, art or a variety of assessment tools that are electronic to help understand the person and their unique view of the world around them. They should also discuss the challenges that led the person to seek help, and reassure them there is nothing wrong with seeing a mental health professional.