Mental Health Basics
Difference between mental health and mental illness
Mental health = a state of well-being (can be strong or weak).
Mental illness = a diagnosed condition that disrupts mental health.
You can have poor mental health without having a mental illness, and good mental health even if you have a mental illness, depending on how well it’s managed.
This disorder is characterized by episodes of elevated mood, energy, and irritability.
What is bipolar disorder?
Name one early warning sign of a worsening mental health condition.
Changes in sleep, appetite, mood, social withdrawal, irritability
These medications are commonly used to treat depression.
SSRIs / SNRIs / antidepressants
This communication technique involves repeating the client’s words to show understanding.
What is paraphrasing / restating?
A client is experiencing acute anxiety. Name one immediate intervention the nurse can use to reduce anxiety.
Guided breathing, calm environment, reassurance, grounding techniques, distraction
Name two factors that influence mental health.
Biological/genetic, social, environmental, psychological
Identify one positive and one negative symptom of schizophrenia.
Positive: hallucinations/delusions; Negative: flat affect, social withdrawal
Identify two signs a client may be experiencing acute mania.
Rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, pressured thoughts, irritability, distractibility
Name one common side effect of antipsychotic medications.
Extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, sedation, anticholinergic effects
When a client says, “I feel hopeless,” the nurse responds, “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed right now.” This is called what?
What is reflection / validating feelings?
A client with depression refuses to eat or participate in activities. Identify one nursing intervention to support engagement.
Encourage participation, offer small manageable tasks, provide positive reinforcement, monitor nutrition
This term describes negative attitudes and beliefs toward people with mental illness.
What is mental health stigma?
Name two common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Restlessness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, muscle tension
Name one key question to ask a client experiencing anxiety.
“What triggers your anxiety?” / “How does anxiety affect your daily life?” / “What coping strategies do you use?”
This class of medications is used to reduce anxiety and promote calm in short-term situations.
Benzodiazepines
A client is expressing anger toward staff, pacing and raising their voice. Identify two ways the nurse can respond therapeutically.
Use a calm tone, maintain safe distance, acknowledge feelings (“I see that you’re upset”), set clear limits, offer choices if possible
A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Name two interventions the nurse can implement to ensure safety and manage behavior.
Reduce environmental stimulation, provide structured routine, limit setting, monitor for impulsive behaviors, ensure hydration/nutrition
Name one way stigma can affect a person with mental illness.
Delays seeking help / social isolation / low self-esteem / discrimination
A person with this personality disorder often fears abandonment and exhibits intense emotional swings.
What is borderline personality disorder?
When documenting suicidal ideation, the nurse should include these three key elements.
Thoughts of self-harm, plan/method, access to means
This medication is considered first-line for mania in bipolar disorder.
Lithium
A client with schizophrenia says, “The TV is talking to me and telling me to hurt myself.” How should the nurse respond therapeutically?
Acknowledge the client’s experience without reinforcing hallucinations, focus on safety, redirect attention, maintain calm and clear communication
A client with schizophrenia becomes paranoid and refuses medication. Identify two nursing interventions.
Build rapport/trust, educate about medication benefits, use clear/simple communication, involve interdisciplinary team, ensure safety
This ethical principle means “do no harm” and guides nurses to avoid causing injury to clients.
What is nonmaleficence?
Name one key difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
What is binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (e.g., vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise)?
Name two signs that a client may be escalating toward aggression.
Clenched fists, pacing, loud voice, threatening statements, staring or glaring
When administering psychotropic meds, the nurse must monitor for this serious reaction characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
A client with a substance use disorder is not ready to quit. Identify two harm-reduction interventions the nurse can offer.
Naloxone education, safe use practices, needle exchange, overdose prevention, education on safer dosing