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Mental Health Nursing – Assessing Mental Health Mental health assessments often include a physical exam to rule out physical problems. This may include blood tests and urine tests as well as brain scans. Psychologists also utilize a range of tools to evaluate mental health. They can use pen and paper test forms to deep interviews or self-fill questionnaires for postal delivery. Mood and affect The clinician will first notice the patient's mood and emotional state. They define the patient's general emotional state that can range from joy to sadness, or anger to anger. The affect can be assessed through facial expressions, general demeanor and the reaction to internal or external stimuli. smiling at the joke or crying over the loss of a loved one). Affect is a feeling that is temporary, while mood is a state of sustained emotion. It is often described as either euthymic (normal) or dysphoric, which means depressed. Psychiatric professionals should be careful to avoid confusion between the terms, as they are interpreted differently and can be affected by various factors. The MSE can be a useful tool for clinical diagnosis however it is difficult to interpret from an individual patient's report. Inquiring about the feelings of patients in the last few weeks is more helpful than relying on just observations from a physician. A recent study revealed 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 and also the differences between time periods and frequency in reporting symptoms. It is possible that the MSE relies solely on self-reporting, which could be biased. For instance, a person who describes experiencing a headache and anxiety is likely to report an lower score than a patient who reports only an occasional headache. Furthermore, there is a tendency for patients to minimize negative feelings and overestimate the severity of positive emotions. Affect and mood can have a direct influence on thought content. This can affect the way people make decisions, their interpersonal behavior and physical function. They are affected by stress, fatigue and social interactions, as well as world events, hormones and weather. In actual fact positive moods have been proven to boost creativity and thinking power. A mood that is negative can cause confusion and lower concentration. A thorough and meticulous mental health evaluation must be able to consider both the patient's mood and affect and the other factors. Thought content One of the most important elements of a mental status exam is assessing how a patient thinks. Assessment of the thought process and its content. mental assessments refers the coherence, logic and organization of a patient's thinking. The normal process of thinking is objective-oriented and logic-based. Thought processing can be altered when a person suffers from mental health issues. Examples include delusions, hallucinations and loose associations. A mental health assessment also assesses the quality of insight and judgement. Insight is the ability to spot the presence of a problem. Judgment is the capability to make a well-considered choice after receiving information. Both can be impaired by various mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. Patients with impaired insight or judgment is more prone to harm themselves or others. If they are in danger, their sensible judgement would suggest leaving the home immediately. However, a patient with impaired judgment might decide to stay in the building and attempting to put the fire out. Thought content is the topics, subjects and beliefs that a patient holds. Examiners will assess the clarity, connection and the content of the thoughts of the patient. They will note tangential thoughts or circumstantial ones, and if the patient has digressions (digressions away from the topic of the conversation). They will also provide feedback on the pace at which a person is thinking, such as if they seem to be faster or slower. Other important aspects to consider are whether the patient's thoughts are mood compatible or not in line with their environment. For instance, a person who is depressed may hear voices that are hostile and frightening, whereas those suffering from schizophrenia may be able to imagine a calm and soothing voice. Ask the patient if they've had any thoughts of suicide or homicide. Although they are not common however, they can be life threatening and should be taken into consideration in every mental health evaluation. Watching A nurse's observation skills play an important role in an assessment of mental health. They will conduct a thorough examination of behavior, appearance as well as any unusual beliefs or perceptions (such as hallucinations or delusions) mood, as well as aspects of cognition (including attention, orientation memory, and orientation). The mental status exam for nurses is also a way of the observation of motility. This is any physical activity, such as eating, drinking, or brushing teeth. The observation component of the mental state examination is a crucial aspect of determining if the patient is posing the risk to themselves or others. This is done by assessing whether the patient appears to be moving deliberately in a way that suggests they are in danger of harming themselves or anyone else. A detailed evaluation of the thought content is also made by monitoring the patient during the interview and determining the concerns. It is crucial to check if the patient is having suicidal or violent thoughts and to determine if they are experiencing delusions. Global assessment of functioning (GAF), a numerical rating between 0 and 100, evaluates the ability of the person to perform in everyday life with their ability of coping with stressors. The GAF is a vital element of the mental state assessment and aids in making the treatment decisions. It is important to be aware of the fact that observing a patient's behaviour can cause anxiety and it is essential that the procedure is carried out in a manner that does not cause anxiety for the patient or make them feel intrusive. It is also crucial that the patient is fully informed about the purpose of the observation and the amount of time it will last. Nursing observation is a crucial skill and it must be a key element of the nursing process. It is essential to remember that patients might disagree on the extent of observation. If they cannot reach an agreement with staff, they must be able access an advocate service to represent their interests and aid them in any discussions about their treatment. This should be a part of local policy and practice, with the involvement and support of user groups. Questioning A lot of people are hesitant to talk about their mental health issues, but family members can often tell when something is amiss. They can also assist the person to obtain an assessment. These assessments can cover a wide range of topics that include mood, appearance and the thought process. A mental health professional could also inquire about the person's private life. They will ask them what they have been feeling and what has happened recently. The test consists of an assessment of cognitive ability which focuses on an individual's ability think clearly and retain information. The test subject may ask to complete simple tasks, like focusing their attention on the list of objects or words as well as storing lists and lists for solving math problems. The test can be used to test the ability of the person's judgement and to make informed choices. The test also assesses the patient's understanding and level of understanding about their condition and its effects on them. The attitude of the patient towards others, himself and the illness is an important aspect of a mental evaluation. The tone of voice, the facial expression, and the body expressions of a patient could indicate depression, anger or a sense of helplessness. It is important to check whether the patient appears to be seeking help or accepting their condition. In more serious instances the mental health assessment may include an examination of the patient's mental state that could include hallucinations (false perceptions of sensory stimuli that are not real stimuli) or illusions (misperceptions of real stimuli). These conditions can be dangerous and even fatal. A mental health assessment must be holistic and focus on the person's interaction to their world. A health professional may use photographs, music, art, or any other electronic assessment tool to better understand the person. They should also talk with the person about the issues that led them to seek help and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with visiting a mental health professional.