Nursing and Mental Health Illness - Case Study Example

Mental Health Illness Introduction (a) Nursing problems associated with Joan? Joan is patient who is suffering from a mental illness that has resulted from the tetanus infection that she is has. Her mental illness has come with a number of other effects that are caused by the fact she is having a chronic mental illness that has to be controlled by having regular tetanus injections (Armstrong, 2007, pp.45). The condition that crops up due to mental illness has so many other related problems such as the nursing problems. Joan therefore is victim of all these problems that are exist or are exhibited since she has contracted tetanus hence therefore suffering from mental illness. It is an issue that is quite problematic that is associated with mental illness. Such issues can be noted from Joan’s way of conduct which has emanated from poor nursing conditions that she has undergone (Australian Government, 2006, pp.200). The version of story she narrates and the sentimental tone she uses as she narrates the way she feels about her situation in her job can clearly indicate that her mental disorder has not been properly taken care of. It can be clearly noted that she suffers from a disorder that makes her lose confidence in herself hence therefore making her to feel shy which a very odd kind of behavior is for a lady of her age. It is a very eccentric manner for a lady at an age above forty to feel shy as Joan. At the same time she explained that she was upset with her current job and more especially with the people she is working with (Elder, Evans & Nizette, 2009, pp.150). This is another clear indication that illustrates that Joan has been having inappropriate nursing attention for her mental illness which has made her condition to worsen. She has started developing the feeling of stigma and withdraws since she feels as if she is sidelined by her fellow workmates due to the fact she is has a mental illness. This could not have escalated to such levels if she had been subjected to good mental nursing or psychiatric treatment. Her story goes on and she laments of about being sad of her career in the sense that she wishes to have higher job class than she is at the moment when she is being interviewed. She also complains about her life at work and also at her home. Such sentiments of resentment are certainly showing that Joan is suffering from a condition of discontent which is not normal for a lady of her age. She goes on to say that she has reached a point of desperation thus is thinking of committing suicide (Fortinash and Worret, 2004, pp.125). Her behavior at work is also very significant in describing her conservative nature. She does not interact with her colleagues and therefore sees this as an added advantage since she does not waste time and hence her boss praises and likes her. She does not understand the essence of relaxing during the off hours by at least interacting with her fellow work mates which helps in breaking the monotony of the routine work and also resting the mind (Fortinash and Worret, 2004, pp. 130). Instead of taking this time to rest she hurries back to her place of work to continue working. All these narrations are a depiction that Joan has a severe illness which has escalated to that level due to lack of proper nursing of her condition. Mental illness is a condition that ought to be checked and nursed on regular basis so as to control the worsening of the condition. There are a number of factors or solutions that should be put into consideration so as to make sure that similar conditions or even worse like the one Joan is suffering from are controlled so as to make people who have mental disorder to enjoy leading a life like a normal person (Harris, 2002, pp.70). Some of the measures should be induced to the patient so that e or she can be in position to take any necessary measure to control the condition. Mental disorder is a condition that rarely can be terminated but can be put at bay by taking all the relevant control procedures that are significant in regulating or else moderating its side effects. This is the kind of assistance that a person like Joan should be given since from her profile it is clear that she lacks it. Psychiatrics are therefore trained specially to offer this kind of therapy to patients who have this kind of illness. 2. Upon hearing Joan’s situation, what steps would you undertake in relation to her personal safety: Mental health care nursing is one area in the nursing practice which ought to be embraced with a lot of care and precaution (Harris, 2002, pp.45). The healthcare experts should ensure the care of a person by ensuring that the nursing models together with the nursing care plans are followed to the latter. The emphasis here would therefore be to enhance a therapeutic relationship. In practical terms, the nurse should create environment between him and the patient which should be aimed at engaging the person in a positive and mutual way that will trigger the person to reveal his or her medical history to health checks. In order to respond to Joan’s situation, I would take some several steps in order to protect her safety. Understanding and Compassion This aspect helps the nurse to strengthen a psychological balance for the patients. The conveyance of important information regarding the health status of the patients by the nurses is an important aspect as it would help the patient in having a sense of importance. The patient should be allowed to express his or her thoughts and feelings without any hurry and in response the nurse should encourage him by not blaming, judging or even belittling him (Fry & Veatch, 2006, pp. 130). Being empathetic would rather be important rather than been sympathetic as this shows the patient that he or she is very important in the society and thus there is a need for him or her to live. Empowering the patients with a feeling of importance would rather draw them closer to the normality which they had before the inception of the disorder (Fry & Veatch, 2006, pp.100). Even at times when a psychiatrist is physically attacked by the patients, he ought to retain that desire of assisting the patient and understanding the situations that the patient is in. This involvement with the patient will help the nurse even collect medical history from the patient even at times when the patient does not communicate. A positive response during this stage will help the psychiatric in increasing greater chances of having a better improvement. Individuality This is a second step when scrutinizing a patient suffering from mental illness as they will get to the patient well (Harris, 2002, pp.50). In order to capture adequate knowledge about the patient, the Psychiatric should be able to understand patients and view them as people beyond what can be perceived. Perceiving people just like other individuals will help the patients to value themselves and they feel esteemed. Offering support A therapeutic relationship between the patients and the nurses need to be enhanced through supportive measures and this is also one way of showing love to them. In order to brush off the clouded mind of Joan, one can share meals together, read books and magazines together. At the same time, physical support may also count a lot as this will indicate a sense of comfort and consolation (World Health Organization, 2001, pp. 26). 3. How would you interact with Joan in the first instance and beyond? Joan is a patient who requires close attention so as to make her condition to be regulated. The manner in which one should interact with her at first meeting and even in other times to follow should be very significant as far as her mental improvement is concerned. At first instance when a person meets Joan one should be very careful on the way you talk to her so that she can feel comfortable to disclose her feelings (Ikkos, Boardman & Zigmond, 2006, pp.125). A psychiatric nurse for this case should have an understanding and compassionate attitude towards Joan. This is very essential since it will make Joan to develop a sense of worthiness which she might be lacking. Another important aspect that one should have when dealing with Joan is to make sure that the person does not become judgmental or conclusive when Joan airs out her feelings and thoughts. This will make her stop feeling stigmatized or sidelined due to her disability. A psychiatric nurse should also handle Joan as an individual who deserves to be respected despite the fact she has a mental problem. This will make Joan to feel valued and cared for like any other human being (Harnetti & Greaney, 2008, pp. 200-205). One should avoid using terms that will be classifying her as disabled person but rather the one should talk to her in a way that will show her she has a meaning in the society. The other very essential element that person should have when interacting with Joan is the sense of concern and willingness to offer any necessary support to her. This ranges from very complex or highly demanding tasks to simple tasks. For instance a nurse can volunteer to visit Joan in her house and either bring her a gift or help her in her taking care of her hose chores (Harris, 2002, pp. 22). In situations when Joan is depressed a psychiatric nurse can offer all the emotional support that she requires so that she can successively come over the situation she is going through. Conclusion A psychiatric nurse should also be readily available for Joan so that the latter can have a feeling that she is loved and incase of any problem she can get all the assistance she requires. One should also ensure that Joan plays a role in the process of her therapy instead of placing her as an object that needs remedy. This will make Joan to have feeling that she is also important and at the same time makes her to learn so many significant lessons concerning her condition and the way it can be controlled. References Armstrong, A.E. 2007. 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Lachman, V.D. 2006. Applied Ethics in Nursing, New York: Springer Publishing Company. Moore, B. 2004. The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary, Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Smoyak, A. 2009. How Much? Who Pays? Who Benefits? A Look at Ethics in Mental Health, pp. 8-9. Available at http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=13&did=1518641231&SrchMode=2&sid=1&F mt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1242596772&clien tId=20863 21 World Health Organization. 2001. Mental Health, New Understanding, New Hope, WHO, Geneva, available at http://www.who.int/whr2001/2001/main/en/ World Health Organization. 2005. Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, WHO, Geneva, available at http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/legislation/Resource%20Book_Eng2_WEB_07 %20 (2).pdf Read More