
HNO6008 Mental Health Nursing Report 3 Sample
Assignment Details
Healthcare assessment and planning is reliant on sound, evidenced-based diagnostic criteria. However, that criteria must always take into account the vast differences in individuals. A long standing issue in mental health has been the debate around situations where criteria do not seem to fully relate to client presentation. In this assessment you will undertake a deconstruction of one set of criteria around one identified diagnosis. Using one case study to introduce your arguments you will consider diagnosis and context.
This assessment supports unit learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4.
Task
1. Identify and critically review one mental disorder from either the DSM-V or the ICD-10. Provide a synopsis of this disorder and diagnostic criteria. (Do not copy it directly into your essay but provide a clear reference to source.) (350 words)
2. Reflecting on a case you may have encountered where the person was given a diagnosis where all required criteria could have been reconsidered, undertake a critique and deconstruction of this disorder in regard to whether the individual met or did not meet all required criteria. (850 words)
3. Provide a rationale for your previous arguments in relation to cultural/biopsychosocial perspectives and contexts. Deliberate on how not considering those perspectives might impact understandings and care outcomes and affect client care. (500 words)
4. Argue how nurses undertaking assessment and planning care might better contextualise contemporary understandings in diagnoses ensuring assessment and planning is properly contextual. (300 words)
Supporting resources
APA 7th referencing: Overview (Victoria University Library, 2024)
Solution
Disorder Overview and Diagnostic Criteria
Anxiety disorders have been listed among the mental disorders mentioned in both DSM-V and ICD 10 models which people have been suffering in many forms (Hyland et al., 2016). Anxiety disorder among people has become quite prevalent in Australia considering the current turbulence and sudden changes in the environment and society. Mostly, anxiety disorders within people take place due to some traumatic events and life experiences. According to Bjornsson et al., (2020), traumatic child life experiences can result in anxiety disorders within people in later stages of their lives. In Australia, it can be noticed that a large section of the population (16.8%) are suffering from anxiety disorder which stands at the second position just after the overall population with mental disorders (21.4%) (Statista, 2024) [refer to figure 1]. The numbers are quite serious and a matter of concern for sure which needs to be addressed in the best possible ways for ensuring a better quality of life for the people.
Figure 1: Share of Australian population suffering from mental disorders
(Source: Statista, 2024)
There are several symptoms which indicate that there is an issue of anxiety disorder within a person. Some of the symptoms of anxiety disorder are rapid heart palpitations, shortness of breath, unexplained pains, trouble in sleeping, trouble in making decisions and many more (Szuhany & Simon, 2022). Such a situation can certainly become quite challenging for a person suffering from anxiety disorder as he or she will certainly not be able to make appropriate decisions in life which further can lead to disaster or unfulfilled aspirations at the later stages. Further, anxiety disorders can also create several other health issues as mentioned earlier which can become acute and fatal in nature in the remaining days of life. Considering the scenario, people suffering from anxiety disorders must seek proper advice and support from appropriate social workers who are proficient and have a satisfactory track record in handling such cases in the past. In the viewpoints of Deshields et al., (2021) have mentioned that a proper support for university assignment help and guidance from proficient social workers can help people to overcome anxiety disorders.
Case Study Critique
Case Study: Joe gets help for generalised anxiety disorder
Joe has been serving the Australian Army and Defence Force for the last 20 years and has deployed in different and diverse locations such as the Solomons, Bougainville and East Timor (Open Arms, 2023). This service for Joe has certainly turned out to be quite effective and beneficial in terms of earning experiences of different and diverse ranges. In this case, I have observed from the statements of Joe that he had anxiety disorders since his childhood where he used to feel anxious regarding his health even if there was a simple pain or ache. Further, Joe also told us that he was also worried regarding parents when they used to argue on certain topics, which is very normal for a couple. Therefore, these are clear symptoms of anxiety disorders within Joe which were increasing with time and at present has become unbearable for him by every means. On the contrary, I have also observed from the case study that Joe also lacked the capability of making appropriate decisions in his life which is also a clear symptom of anxiety disorder. According to the statements of Joe, he used to like serving in the Australian Defence Force as he could refrain from taking decisions of his life as the Army used to perform the same for him. Joe also stated that he had pretty close friends and he was concentrating on his job and getting good results in return. This phenomenon within Joe clearly highlights that he has always feared to make decisions of his own regarding his life and his family while has been dependent on others to pursue the task for him. In this context, the findings of Arbona et al., (2021) seems to be quite relevant with this situation of Joe as it states that lack of decision-making is one of the symptoms of anxiety disorder. In the later stage, when Joe retired at the age of 45 years, he went through the same problems like his childhood as he had to make decisions for his career and his family (Open arms, 2023). Joe mentioned his fears regarding the outcomes of not getting a job at that age in his post-retirement time which further fabricated his thoughts and developed more problems which were not even present at that point of time such as health issues and support for his wife and children. In this case, I have observed that ‘what if’ was a serious question for Joe regarding his future which was disrupting his present in a quite significant way. According to the statements by Joe, such a situation had led him to be sick and developed several illnesses such as diarrhoea, pains, aches and mental upsets. Therefore, it can be stated that anxiety disorders within a person can certainly result in creating several other diseases and illnesses for him or her. Considering the above situation, the claims by Meuret, Tunnell & Roque (2020) seems to be quite true that anxiety disorder can result in some associated illnesses such as pains, aches, diarrhoea and heart disease.
Taking this case study into consideration, it can be suggested that such persons with anxiety disorders certainly need to visit people and social workers proficient in handling such cases of anxiety disorders in the best possible ways. As per the viewpoints of Alnazly et al., (2021) have stated that persons suffering from anxiety disorders should seek support from healthcare professionals or social workers for better results. In the case study as well, it can be observed that Joe states about his wife who advised him to visit a social worker of a healthcare professional for handling this situation of anxiety disorder in the best possible ways. This particular step will certainly make Joe feel much better as he will be able to access mental support from the professional which will further help him getting better solutions for his problems and get rid of the baseless thoughts that are ruining his present life quite significantly. In this regard, the findings by Cai ei al., (2020) have mentioned that seeking advice from healthcare professionals can be useful for persons with anxiety disorders in getting mental support. In the case study, I have observed Joe's wife complaining about Joe making the life miserable for her as well as the children. Joe even felt sick, ashamed and anxious to meet their family doctor regarding his problem of anxiety disorder. But that visit of the family doctor has proved to be a boon for Joe as he got a very useful advice of visiting a psychologist as general anxiety disorder is considered one of the psychological problems. Visiting the psychologist really helped Joe to handle his issues of anxiety both physically as well as mentally. The psychological therapies have proved to be quite beneficial for Joe in terms of finding proper solutions for the future life which further resolved the current distance that he created with his family due to his anxiety problems and issues. Joe stated that his daughter hugged him for the first time since he visited the psychologist which made him feel better by every means. Therefore, in such situations of anxiety disorders, people should focus on visiting a social worker or a proper psychologist so that appropriate diagnosis can be made for the required treatments in future.
Cultural/Biopsychosocial Considerations
Both cultural as well as biopsychosocial considerations are important while interacting with a person having anxiety disorders as the concerned person can be from a different culture as well as having some psychosocial issues in interacting with people regarding their problems and issues. In this context, the findings of Indainanto et al., (2023) have stated that cultural differences and psychosocial issues within a person can hinder proper communication and interactions. Therefore, in this case, it can get difficult for the healthcare professional to interact with the patient which further will make things complex in gathering appropriate information regarding the issues and problems in the long run. Considering the above situation, Baticulon et al, (2021) have mentioned that lack of communication between a patient and a doctor can hinder gathering of information about the health issue. In this case, cultural differences can be one of the core hindrances that can disrupt the communication levels between the patient and the healthcare professional as their languages will likely be different. The findings of Tenzer, Pudelko & Zellmer-Bruhn (2021) have mentioned that cultural differences can result in differentiating in languages which hinders effective communication. In this case, there is a need for the doctor or the healthcare professional to be more patient in communicating with such patients and make them feel better and familiar at the same time as the patients will be feeling jeopardised and embarrassed in communicating with the doctor regarding their anxiety issues at the very first time. This strategy will certainly open a window for the patients to feel motivated and comfortable to share their issues and problems with the doctor which will further result in seeking proper mental support and solutions in the best possible ways. This strategy will furthur play a crucial role in building a proper relationship and trust between the doctor and the patient in future.
On the other hand, considering the biopsychosocial factors of a patient suffering from anxiety disorder, it can be observed that there is a need for gathering appropriate information and insights regarding the associated health issues. This strategy can be quite helpful for the doctors to diagnose the actual problems and prescribe appropriate action plans for overcoming the same in the long run. The opinions of Bogaert (2020) have mentioned that gathering information from anxious patients becomes quite crucial for doctors as they tend to hide their problems from people to avoid any kind of embarrassment. On the contrary, the arguments of Subramanian et al., (2022) have mentioned that gathering information from patients is extremely important for framing proper diagnosis and treatment plans. Considering the psychosocial factors can also make the patient feel better and comfortable in front of the doctors to a great extent. Therefore, this aspect of psychosocial factors must be considered by the doctors especially while making treatments for patients with anxiety disorders.
Contextualisation in Nursing Practice
Considering the nursing practices while attending a person with anxiety disorder, there is a serious need for the nurses to develop the skills such as empathy, communication and emotional intelligence. Communication is such a skill that will enable the nurse to understand the needs and requirements of the patient in the best possible ways. According to the viewpoints of Kwame & Petrucka (2021), proper communication with the patients can help nurses to understand their needs and requirements. This strategy can be quite effective for a nurse to develop empathy towards the patients and make them feel comfortable while being under treatment. In several cases, it is observed that empathy towards the patients make them feel more comfortable to share their issues and problems with the nurses which further proves to be effective and helpful in diagnosing the actual disease and taking the required steps for overcoming the same. Further, the skills of emotional intelligence within a nurse will allow him or her to get emotionally connected with the patient and build strong relationships in the long run. In this regard, the observations by Dugué, Sirost & Dosseville (2021) have argued that emotional intelligence can help nurses to build proper relationships with the patients and make them feel comfortable in the long run. This factor can certainly increase the chances of better diagnosis and treatment for the patients with anxiety issues and disorders in the long run.
Reference List
Alnazly, E., Khraisat, O. M., Al-Bashaireh, A. M., & Bryant, C. L. (2021). Anxiety, depression, stress, fear and social support during COVID-19 pandemic among Jordanian healthcare workers. Plos one, 16(3), e0247679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102601
Arbona, C., Fan, W., Phang, A., Olvera, N., & Dios, M. (2021). Intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, and career indecision: A mediation model. Journal of Career Assessment, 29(4), 699-716. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727211002564
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Indainanto, Y. I., Dalimunthe, M. A., Sazali, H., & Kholil, S. (2023). Islamic Communication in Voicing Religious Moderation as an Effort to Prevent Conflicts of Differences in Beliefs. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(4). https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.415
Kwame, A., & Petrucka, P. M. (2021). A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC nursing, 20(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2
Meuret, A. E., Tunnell, N., & Roque, A. (2020). Anxiety disorders and medical comorbidity: treatment implications. Anxiety disorders: Rethinking and understanding recent discoveries, 237-261. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_15
Open Arms (2023). Joe gets help for generalised anxiety disorder. Retrieved on 20 November 2024. From: https://www.openarms.gov.au/resources/case-studies/joe-gets-help-generalised-anxiety-disorder
Statista (2024). Share of the Australian population with a 12-month mental disorder in Australia in financial year 2021, by type of disorder. Retrieved on 20 November 2024. From: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1321952/australia-share-of-population-with-a-mental-disorder-by-type/
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