Mental Health and Mental Illness Chapter 20

Learning Objectives Identify 7 characteristics of mental health Identify 4 causes of mental illness List guidelines for communicating with mentally ill residents Identify and define common defense mechanisms Describe the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia Explain treatment and care of residents who are mentally ill List signs of substance abuse

Mental Health 1. Gets along with others 2. Adapts to change 3. Cares for self and others 4. Gives and accepts love 5. Deals with situations that cause anxiety, disappointment, and frustration 6. Takes responsibility for decisions, feelings, and actions 7. Controls and fulfills desires and impulses appropriately

Signs/Symptoms Causes Mental Illness Confusion Disorientation Agitation Anxiety Causes Physical factors Environmental factors Heredity or family influence Stress (including coping abilities)

FALLACY FACT FALLACY Fact or Fallacy? People with mental illness can control their symptoms. Mental illness and intellectual disability are NOT the same. Being mentally ill reduces stress and prevents some physical diseases. FALLACY FACT FALLACY

Communication Guidelines Do NOT talk to adults as if they were children Use simple, clear statements and a normal tone of voice Communicate respect and concern Sit or stand at a normal distance Be honest and direct Avoid arguments Maintain eye contact Listen closely

Defense Mechanisms Denial Projection Displacement Rationalization Completely rejecting the thought or feeling Projection Seeing feelings in others that are really one’s own Displacement Transferring a strong negative feeling to a safer situation Rationalization Making excuses to justify a situation Repression Blocking unacceptable thoughts or painful feelings from the mind Regression Going back to an old, usually immature behavior

Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression & Schizophrenia Phobia Anxiety Depression Schizophrenia Uneasiness or fear Symptoms – sweating, dizziness, cold/clammy hands, racing heart, shakiness Serious mental illness Symptoms – apathy, sleeplessness, pain, difficulty concentrating, guilt, irritability, fatigue Brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to think clearly and understand reality Does NOT mean the person has a split personality Anxiety-related disorders Panic disorder Repeated episodes of intense fear that something bad will happen OCD Repeated thoughts or behaviors PTSD Caused by a traumatic experience

Treatment & Care Caring for residents with mental illness Medication Psychotherapy Caring for residents with mental illness Observe for changes Ability Positive or negative mood changes Behavior changes Comments about hurting themselves or others Physical symptoms Provoking events, situations or people Support the resident, family and friends Encourage independence

Substance Abuse Repeated use of legal or illegal drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol in a way that is harmful to oneself or others Signs Change in physical appearance Change in personality Irritability Substance odor on breath or clothes Unexplained changes in vital signs Loss of appetite Need for money Confusion or forgetfulness Blackouts or memory loss REPORT ANY OF THESE TO THE NURSE

Review Mental health Mental illness Guidelines for communicating with mentally ill residents Defense mechanisms Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia Treatment and care of mentally ill residents Substance abuse