60
Mental Health
© 63
, Tips for Mental Health Class
61
nurse in the making
Mental health is all Know your interventions
about communication Mental health class will include many
In non-psychiatric conditions, diagnoses and conditions that don't all
require the same interventions.
the treatment can be more
straightforward. Often, we're able to Learn about interventions for patients
administer a medication or perform a that may include multiple elements such
clinical intervention. as nutrition, exercise, different types of
But in mental health, part of the therapy, or the use of restraints.
treatment and interventions centers One size does not fit all, and
around communication. understanding the conditions means
understanding how to intervene as well.
It is crucial to understand
and use therapeutic
communication.
Pharmacology ties in Safety, safety, safety
Remember that medications are not the only You will hear that safety is always the
treatment; it's important to learn all associated number one priority. Well, it is!
therapies too. Of course, many conditions do
require medications. As you learn about these conditions and
answer any mental health questions,
It's also important to learn the different
medication classes and for which diagnoses keep in mind that patients may be at risk
they are used for. Be sure to know how they of hurting themselves or others.
work (their mechanism of action) as well as
Learn what things
how the medications interact with one another.
you can do as the nurse
to keep you and your
Be familiar with the antidepressant patients safe!
& antipsychotic medication classes,
along with which conditions they
are used to treat.
© 64
, Neurotransmitters Overview
62
nurse in the making
description How it affects mental health
Key Point To Know
of Function low levels high levels
• Learning & retaining MEMORY • Alzheimer's • Depression
information Low levels are • Memory loss • Anxiety
• Attention span associated with
• Dementia • Muscle paralysis
• Muscle movements Alzheimer's and
Acetylcholine loss of memory
• Mood & pleasure
sensation ADDICTION • Parkinson's • Schizophrenia
• Libido Dopamine release • Depression • Hallucinations
• Physical movement = • Fibromyalgia • Bipolar disorder
reward & return • Lack of motivation
Dopamine & motions • Manic episodes
• Sleep habits (urge to repeat a
(catecholamine)
behavior)
• Attention span
BALANCE IS KEY • Depression
• Mood • Increased anxiety
A swing in either • ADHD/ADD
• Motivation • Panic attacks
direction can cause • Postpartum
• Energy • Overstimulation
Norepinephrine anxiety & depressive depression
• Concentration
(catecholamine) sensations
• Lethargy
• Concentration & focus FIGHT OR FLIGHT • Lack of motivation • Anxiety
• Survival mechanisms This response kicks in • Panic attacks
• Lack of
Epinephrine to save your body from
concentration
(Adrenaline) dangerous situations
(catecholamine)
• Improved
• Sleep regulation • Schizophrenia
CALM concentration
• Feelings of calm • Anxiety
Balanced & elevated • Anxiety reduction
• Stimulation & • Panic disorders
levels lead to • Sleep disorders or
GABA brain activity • PTSD
sensations of calm hypersomnia
(gamma-aminobutyric acid)
EXCITEMENT • Restlessness
• Memory • ADHD
This excitatory • Anxiety & panic
• Nerve health • Fatigue
neurotransmitter helps • Insomnia
& transmission • Poor energy
transmit messages in • Pain disorders
Glutamate the brain
MOOD
• Improved mood
• Mood regulation • Depression
• Sleep • Fatigue Dangerously
• Libido Low serotonin high serotonin • Anxiety high levels
=
Serotonin think think serotonin
Low & sad happy & smiley syndr
ome
© 65
Mental Health
© 63
, Tips for Mental Health Class
61
nurse in the making
Mental health is all Know your interventions
about communication Mental health class will include many
In non-psychiatric conditions, diagnoses and conditions that don't all
require the same interventions.
the treatment can be more
straightforward. Often, we're able to Learn about interventions for patients
administer a medication or perform a that may include multiple elements such
clinical intervention. as nutrition, exercise, different types of
But in mental health, part of the therapy, or the use of restraints.
treatment and interventions centers One size does not fit all, and
around communication. understanding the conditions means
understanding how to intervene as well.
It is crucial to understand
and use therapeutic
communication.
Pharmacology ties in Safety, safety, safety
Remember that medications are not the only You will hear that safety is always the
treatment; it's important to learn all associated number one priority. Well, it is!
therapies too. Of course, many conditions do
require medications. As you learn about these conditions and
answer any mental health questions,
It's also important to learn the different
medication classes and for which diagnoses keep in mind that patients may be at risk
they are used for. Be sure to know how they of hurting themselves or others.
work (their mechanism of action) as well as
Learn what things
how the medications interact with one another.
you can do as the nurse
to keep you and your
Be familiar with the antidepressant patients safe!
& antipsychotic medication classes,
along with which conditions they
are used to treat.
© 64
, Neurotransmitters Overview
62
nurse in the making
description How it affects mental health
Key Point To Know
of Function low levels high levels
• Learning & retaining MEMORY • Alzheimer's • Depression
information Low levels are • Memory loss • Anxiety
• Attention span associated with
• Dementia • Muscle paralysis
• Muscle movements Alzheimer's and
Acetylcholine loss of memory
• Mood & pleasure
sensation ADDICTION • Parkinson's • Schizophrenia
• Libido Dopamine release • Depression • Hallucinations
• Physical movement = • Fibromyalgia • Bipolar disorder
reward & return • Lack of motivation
Dopamine & motions • Manic episodes
• Sleep habits (urge to repeat a
(catecholamine)
behavior)
• Attention span
BALANCE IS KEY • Depression
• Mood • Increased anxiety
A swing in either • ADHD/ADD
• Motivation • Panic attacks
direction can cause • Postpartum
• Energy • Overstimulation
Norepinephrine anxiety & depressive depression
• Concentration
(catecholamine) sensations
• Lethargy
• Concentration & focus FIGHT OR FLIGHT • Lack of motivation • Anxiety
• Survival mechanisms This response kicks in • Panic attacks
• Lack of
Epinephrine to save your body from
concentration
(Adrenaline) dangerous situations
(catecholamine)
• Improved
• Sleep regulation • Schizophrenia
CALM concentration
• Feelings of calm • Anxiety
Balanced & elevated • Anxiety reduction
• Stimulation & • Panic disorders
levels lead to • Sleep disorders or
GABA brain activity • PTSD
sensations of calm hypersomnia
(gamma-aminobutyric acid)
EXCITEMENT • Restlessness
• Memory • ADHD
This excitatory • Anxiety & panic
• Nerve health • Fatigue
neurotransmitter helps • Insomnia
& transmission • Poor energy
transmit messages in • Pain disorders
Glutamate the brain
MOOD
• Improved mood
• Mood regulation • Depression
• Sleep • Fatigue Dangerously
• Libido Low serotonin high serotonin • Anxiety high levels
=
Serotonin think think serotonin
Low & sad happy & smiley syndr
ome
© 65
