Altered mental status (AMS) is a broad term used to represent a variety of diseases affecting mental functioning ranging from mild disorientation to coma. Fundamentally, a patient’s level of consciousness and cognition are combined to form their mental status. Patients may have abnormalities of either one or both of these components. The range of differential … Read more
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can occur after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic or terrifying event. PTSD can be a lasting consequence of the traumatic event, even years later. Examples of traumatic events include war, terrorism, natural disasters, motor vehicle accidents, the unexpected death of a loved one, a life-threatening … Read more
Psychosocial diagnoses refer to the psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of nursing care. Interruptions in relationships, grieving, coping, and parenting can complicate physical illnesses, as well as vice versa. Psychosocial nursing diagnoses are just as important for the nurse to recognize as other diagnoses as alterations in these areas can potentially lengthen illnesses and … Read more
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by very high moods (manic or hypomanic episodes) and depression. There are several types of bipolar disorder. Manic and hypomania (a less severe form of mania) include the following symptoms: Hyperactivity Euphoria Racing thoughts An exaggerated sense of grandiosity and self-importance Poor decision-making resulting in shopping sprees … Read more
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by intense and persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest or enjoyment in things once loved. Major depressive disorder affects how you think and feel and can cause severe emotional symptoms and even thoughts that life isn’t worth living anymore. Major depression can affect not only the … Read more
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the way a person thinks, perceives information, responds emotionally, and behaves. There are different types of schizophrenia that produce their own set of clinical manifestations. Schizophrenia symptoms can be divided into positive or negative categories: Positive symptoms are in addition to reality and include symptoms of psychosis such … Read more