Question

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING NURSES NEED TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH?

Answer 1

Ans-

Mostly the nurses dealing with patients having suffering from mental health condition like bipolar disorder, eating disorder,major depressions,phobias,panic disorder.etc.

Nurses should always communicate with the patient if patient like to talk.build a relationship with the patient that can help him.consult about the patient condition with the physician.

A) Accept the patient as he-

Acceptance to patient as he is coveys the love and care about the Patient.it provide the emotional nature to the patient.Acceptance does not mean complete permissiveness, but setting of positive behavior to convey to him the respect as an individual human being acceptance is expressed in the followina ways-

1) Talking with a purpose.-Nurse's conversation with a patient must resolve around his needs, wants and interest.Direct approaches like reflection , open - end question, focusing on a point, presenting reality ismore effective when the problems are not obvious.

2)Being non judgemental & non punitive We don't judge patient's behavior as right or wrong, good or bad. Patient is not punished for his undesired behavior.All direct and indirect methods of punishing must be avoided.Chaining, restraining, putting him in a separate room are some of the direct punishment.Ignoring his presence or withdrawing his importance is feW ways of giving indirect punishment.

3) Listening-Listening is an active process. Two ears required for what the patient says verbally and Third ear is required for what patient is otherwise noneverbally saying.

4) reflecting on feeling which patient may express.The nurse acts as a sounding board for patients strong or negative feelings.The nurse develops skill identifying the feelings actually expressed for e.g. When a patients says I would like to break someone's neck; we understand that he is angry at somebody and is expressing the anger.

B)USE SELF UNDERSTANDING AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL-

Self understanding leads to understanding to others.Patient's behavior can produce lot of anxiety or fear in the nurse, and she ought to understand why she is anxious or frightened.We can understand ourselves better by Exchanging personnel experience freely with our colleagues.

C)GIVE REAASSURANCE RENCE TO PATIENTS IN ACCEPTABLE MANNER-Reassurance is building patient's confidence or restoring his confidence. While giving reassurance, we must avoid saying to the patient you will get well, "nothing to worry"

D)AVOID UNECESSARY INCREASE IN PATIENTS ANXIETY-Anxiety is a feeling of fear for an unknown object or event.It is a threat to biological integrity of a person.

E)MAINTAIN REALISTIC NURSE PATIENT RELATIONSHIP-Realistic and professional relationship focuses on the personal and emotional needs of patient..It is therapeutically oriented and planned It is always based on patient's needsNurse differentiate between patient's demands and actual needsIt is for purpose or bringing adaptive ness,integration and maturity in relations.

F)AVOID PHYSICAL AND VERBAL FORCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE -Any kind of force results in psychological trauma in patient Restraining the violent patient is an e.g. ofphysical restrain.