NUR2520

What is Mental health and what makes someone have behavior that is equivalent to diagnosed mental illness? ● Mental health and mental illness are not specific entities but rather they exist on a continuum. ● Continuum is dynamic and shifting; ranging from moderate to severe. ● Many biological and environmental factors influence mental health. ● Mental health: a successful performance of mental functions, resulting in the ability to engage in productive activities, enjoy fulfilling relationships, adapt to change, and cope with adversity. ○ The successful adaptation to stress from the internal or external environment, evidenced nu thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with local and cultural norms. ○ The foundation of thinking, communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem throughout the lifespan. ○ State of well-being in which individuals are able to realize their abilities as well as contribute to their community within the context of life stressors. ● Mental illnesses: maladaptive responses to stressors rom the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are incongruent with the local and cultural norms and interfere with the individual’s social, occupational or physical functioning ○ Basically, mental illness can be seen as the result of flawed biological, psychological, or social processes. ○ Are treatable, and individuals can experience symptom relief, and complete cure in some cases, with treatment & support. ○ Considered When is mental illness considered as a possible diagnosis? ● When there is a dysfunction of the brain or neurotransmitters What assessments do nurses perform? ● They use screening tools to measure conditions including assessing for suicide. ● Mental Status Examination ● MMSE ● Orientation ● Levels of consciousness assessment What are neurotransmitters? How do they work? (6 questions ) ● Neurotransmitter: chemical messenger between neurons by which one neuron triggers another. NEUROTRANSMITTER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER DOPAMINE (DA): controls emotional responses and the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, stimulates the heart, and increases blood flow to vital organs. HIGH - Schizophrenia, Mania LOW - Parkinson’s, Depression