20 mental health and mental illness 1. identify seven characteristics of mental health define the...

20 Mental Health and Mental Illness

1. Identify seven characteristics of mental health

Define the following term:mental health

the normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities.


1. Identify seven characteristics of mental health

These are the characteristics of a person who is mentally healthy: • Gets along with others • Adapts to change • Cares for self and others • Gives and accepts love • Deals with situations that cause anxiety, disappointment, and frustration

• Takes responsibility for decisions, feelings, and actions

• Controls and fulfills desires and impulses appropriately


2. Identify four causes of mental illness

Define the following terms:mental illness

a disease that affects a person’s ability to function at a normal level in the family, home, or community.

situation responsea temporary condition that has symptoms like those of mental illness; possible causes include a personal crisis, temporary physical changes in the brain, side effects from medications, interactions among medications, and severe change in the environment.


2. Identify four causes of mental illness

The following conditions may cause or worsen mental illness: • Physical factors such as illness, disability, aging, substance abuse, or chemical imbalance

• Environmental factors such as weak family relationships or traumatic childhood experiences

• Heredity or family influence • Stress, including coping abilities


3. Distinguish between fact and fallacy concerning mental illnessDefine the following term:fallacy

a false belief.


3. Distinguish between fact and fallacy concerning mental illness

REMEMBER:

Mental illness is a disease like any other physical illness. People who are mentally ill cannot simply choose to be well.


3. Distinguish between fact and fallacy concerning mental illness

REMEMBER:

Mental illness and intellectual disability are not the same. Intellectual disability is a developmental disability that causes below-average mental functioning. It is not a type of mental illness. One common point, however, is that residents with both conditions will need emotional support in addition to care and treatment.


4. Explain the connection between mental and physical wellness

REMEMBER:

Being mentally healthy can reduce stress and prevent some physical diseases. The reverse of this statement is also true. Mentally ill residents may experience high levels of stress that can affect their physical health.


4. Explain the connection between mental and physical wellness

Think about this question:

What stress-reducing techniques do you find effective in your own life?


5. List guidelines for communicating with mentally ill residentsNAs should remember these guidelines for communicating with residents who are mentally ill:• Do not talk to adults as if they were children.• Use simple, clear statements and normal tone of voice.

• Communicate respect and concern.• Sit or stand at a normal distance. Use posture that says you are listening (body language).

• Be honest and direct. • Avoid arguments. • Maintain eye contact. • Listen carefully.


6. Identify and define common defense mechanisms

Define the following term:defense mechanisms

unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress.


6. Identify and define common defense mechanisms

NAs should be familiar with these defense mechanisms:• Denial • Projection • Displacement • Rationalization • Repression • Regression


7. Describe the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia

Define the following terms:anxiety

uneasiness or fear, often about a situation or condition.

phobiasan intense form of anxiety or fear.

claustrophobiathe fear of being in a confined space.

panic disordera disorder in which a person has repeated episodes of intense fear that something bad will occur.



Define the following terms:obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive behavior or thoughts.

post-traumatic stress disorderan anxiety disorder caused by a traumatic experience.

apathya lack of interest in activities.

major depressive disordera type of depression that causes withdrawal, lack of energy, and loss of interest in activities, as well as other symptoms; also called major depression.



Define the following terms:bipolar disorder

a type of depression that causes a person to swing from periods of deep depression to periods of extreme activity; also called manic-depressive illness.

schizophreniaa form of mental illness that affects a person’s ability to think, communicate, make decisions, and understand reality.

paranoid schizophreniaa form of mental illness characterized by hallucinations and delusions.


Transparency 20-1: Mental Diagnosis 1


8. Explain how mental illness is treated

Define the following term:psychotherapy

a method of treating mental illness that involves talking about one’s problems with mental health professionals.



Mental illness can be treated. The following are common treatments:• Medication• Psychotherapy



REMEMBER:

Residents with mental illness have the right to participate in the planning of their care.


Transparency 20-4: NA’s Role in Caring for the Mentally Ill

•Observe residents carefully for changes. Document and report.

•Support the resident and family.•Encourage residents to do as much for themselves as possible.


9. Explain the nursing assistant’s role in caring for residents who are mentally ill

Home Care Focus

A stable home environment is important in managing many forms of mental illness. An HHA may be assigned to provide the following services:• Food shopping, meal planning, and preparation• Housecleaning and laundry• Assistance with ADLs and personal care• Caring for children and other family members.


9. Explain the nursing assistant’s role in caring for residents who are mentally ill

Home Care Focus

REMEMBER:

By assisting the family with meeting their basic needs, the HHA helps the recovery process.


10. Identify important observations that should be made and reported

NAs should observe and report the following in residents with mental illness:• Changes in ability • Positive or negative mood changes (withdrawal) • Behavior changes • Comments about hurting self or others (including jokes)

• Real or imagined physical symptoms • Events, situations, or people that provoke certain reactions


11. List the signs of substance abuse

Define the following term:substance abuse

the repeated use of legal or illegal drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol in a way that is harmful to oneself or others.


Transparency 20-5: Signs of Substance Abuse

•Changes in physical appearance (red eyes, dilated pupils, weight loss)

•Changes in personality (moodiness, strange behavior, disruption of routines, lying)

•Irritability•Odor of cigarettes, liquor, or other substances on breath or clothes

•Diminished sense of smell•Unexplained changes in vital signs•Loss of appetite•Inability to function normally•Need for money•Confusion or forgetfulness•Blackouts or memory loss•Frequent accidents•Problems with family or friends



REMEMBER:

Illegal drugs are not the only substances that are abused. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can be abused if taken incorrectly or excessively.



Think about this question:

What substances commonly found in the home could be abused?



REMEMBER:

Residents who do not have doctors’ orders against drinking alcohol and who live in a facility where alcoholic beverages are allowed may drink alcohol if they wish to do so. NAs should not make judgments or gossip.


ExamMultiple Choice. Choose the correct answer.1. A person who is mentally healthy

(A) Can control and fulfill impulses appropriately(B) Is unlikely to have relationships with others(C) Cannot deal with stress well(D) Does not take responsibility for decisions

2. Which of the following is a sign or symptom of mental illness?(A) Adapting to change(B) Getting along with others(C) Controlling impulses(D) Regularly being agitated


Exam3. Mental illness can be made worse by

(A) Eating a diet heavy in red meat and other animal-based proteins

(B) A strong sense of self-respect(C) Taking prescribed medications(D) Substance abuse

4. Which of the following statements is true about mental illness?(A) People with mental illness can control their

symptoms.(B) Mental illness is a disease like any physical

illness.(C) Mentally healthy persons are unable to

control their emotions.(D) Mental illness rarely disrupts a person’s

ability to function.


Exam5. One guideline for communicating with mentally ill residents is

to (A) Talk to adults like they are children if they do not

understand what is being said (B) Maintain eye contact and listen closely (C) Stand really close to residents(D) Argue with residents if what they are saying is not true

6. Which of the following is true of defense mechanisms? (A) They are a type of mental illness. (B) Anyone who uses them is likely to become mentally ill at

some point. (C) People who are mentally ill do not use them.(D) They help a person cope with stress.


Exam7. Telling your coworker, “Let’s throw spitballs at our boss,” is

an example of which kind of defense mechanism? (A) Displacement (B) Regression (C) Rationalization (D) Projection

8. A coworker gets the promotion that an NA has wanted for a long time. When a friend asks if the NA is upset, he says, “No, not at all.” This is an example of (A) Denial (B) Displacement (C) Regression (D) Projection


Exam9. Signs and symptoms of clinical depression include

(A) Apathy(B) Intense hunger(C) Sudden chest pain(D) Breath that smells fruity

10. A ______ is an intense form of anxiety. (A) Phobia (B) Coping mechanism (C) Fallacy (D) Situation response


Exam11. Which of the following is an appropriate way for an NA to care

for a mentally ill resident? (A) The NA should do everything for the resident. (B) The NA should administer the resident’s medication. (C) The NA should support the resident and his family and

friends. (D) The NA should encourage the resident to stop being mentally

ill and just get better.

12. Which of the following statements about observing mentally ill residents is true? (A) An NA does not need to report a comment about suicide as

long as it is a joke. (B) An NA needs to report changes in mood. (C) Withdrawal does not need to be reported. (D) Imagined physical symptoms do not need to be reported.


Exam15. The fear of being in a confined space is called

(A) Post-traumatic stress disorder(B) Obsessive compulsive disorder(C) Claustrophobia(D) Schizophrenia

16. A brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to think clearly and understand reality is(A) Clinical depression(B) Claustrophobia(C) Bipolar disorder(D) Schizophrenia


Exam17. An anxiety-related disorder that is characterized by repetitive

thoughts or behavior is(A) Generalized anxiety disorder(B) Post-traumatic stress disorder(C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder(D) Panic disorder


CHAPTER 20 PRACTICE1. Which of the following is a sign or symptom of mental illness?

(A) Adapting to change

(B) Getting along with others

(C) Controlling impulses

(D) Regularly being agitated

2. One guideline for communicating with mentally ill residents is to

(A) Talk to adults like they are children if they do not understand what is being said

(B) Maintain eye contact and listen closely

(C) Stand really close to residents

(D) Argue with residents if what they are saying is not true.

3. Which of the following is a common set of treatments for mental illness?

(A) Electroconvulsive (shock) therapy and psychosurgery

(B) Medication and psychotherapy

(C) Psychotherapy and psychosurgery

(D) Medication and electroconvulsive (shock) therapy

4. An anxiety-related disorder that is characterized by repetitive thoughts or behavior is

(A) Generalized anxiety disorder

(B) Post-traumatic stress disorder

(C) Obsessive-compulsive disorder

(D) Panic disorder


CHAPTER 20 PRACTICE ANSWERS1. D-REGULARLY BEING AGITATED2. B-MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT AND LISTEN CAREFULLY3. B-MEDICATION AND PSYCHOTHERAPY4. C-OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

20 mental health and mental illness 1. identify seven characteristics of mental health define the...

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