Caring For a Person With a Mental Illness - Essay Example

Running head: CARING FOR A PERSON WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS Caring for a person with a mental illness Insert Name Institution Date Introduction There are various mental illnesses affecting many of the people in today’s society. This is as a result of changes in the lifestyle forcing people to sometimes multitask or strain their minds. The scenario below is about Ethan who is a political journalist but suffers some mental disorder symptoms. For example, he starts many projects but does not concentrate on finishing them; he is sleepless, loud, and irritable among others. When the symptoms become so severe and he seems out of his initial character his relatives decide to seek medical attention to help his condition. The patient is unwillingly taken to hospital for the relevant medical services. This essay below concerns the diagnosis and treatment plan of the condition of Ethan. The diagnosis of the condition For any illness to be well managed, a good diagnosis should be done to identify the conditions. Bolton, (2008) argues that the most necessary step in analyzing the condition of a patient with mental disorder is interviewing him or his relatives and close friends so as to have a history of the condition. The information that the relatives of Ethan gives concerning the condition of their patient is basically signs that he portrays like being loud, his speech is under pressure and is involved in unsafe sex. This should be accompanied by a physical examination whereby the psychiatrist will observe the physical behaviour of the patient like the connection between the mind and his behaviour or whether he is able to hold attention to an ordinary conversation (Phillips, 2006). A psychiatric examination is also important in diagnosing Ethan’s disorder to determine his mental condition and causes of the severe signs. Other psychopathology issues like the speed of thinking and the perception of things causing the pressure in his speech and his arrogant behaviour will be identified (Ortman, 2007). Manderscheid (2008) argues that there are no laboratory tests, definitive lesion or other abnormalities in the tissues of the brain that can be used to test for the exact mental problem. So the professionals should make use of any report got from their examination however minor it seems since it is the only information which can be used to identify the actual disorder that Ethan is suffering from hence the relevant medication to prescribe. The physician will put together all the reports from interviews, examination and observation, if they meet the criteria of a recognized diagnosis, they can be seen as a mental disorder and not a disease because it is only a group of abnormal signs and symptoms which can be associated with the impairment of functioning of the mind with unknown pathology and aetiology (American Psychiatric Association, 2007). Psychotic disorders There are various psychotic disorders under the category of schizophrenia which Ethan could be suffering from. These are conditions which are associated with loss of insight or reality in the way of doing things (Freudenreich, 2007). According to Horwitz, (2002), Ethan experiences some unrealistic beliefs and he is not capable of interpreting the external stimuli correctly. He is not aware of his abnormal condition and that is why he has to be forced to seek medical advice. Symptoms of psychotic disorders The most common signs of Psychotic disorder are: loss of reality as well as experiencing delusion or having unrealistic pictures in his mind causing him to behave in an abnormal way (Lefley & Dale, 2006). Marie (2006) argues that grandiose delusion is another symptom of Psychotic disorder that Ethan has. This is a belief that he is greater than anyone else, the best, or the wealthiest, he could not allow the State Premier to talk during the press conference. The circumstance can also be connected with the excess use of alcohol and other illicit drugs like cocaine. The parents of Ethan also complained of his excessive consumption of alcohol over the past six months, he drinks daily and often experiences blackouts (Freudenreich, 2007). Bipolar is the most common type of schizophrenia that Ethan could be suffering from. It exists into two forms, either mania or depression but the major signs and symptoms are common in both forms for, such as lack of concentration and poor judgement having unsafe sex and being rude to others. It is a dangerous disorder which if not managed well may lead the affected to commit suicide. Some of the common most drugs considered to treat the bipolar disorder are: lithium carbonate, sodium valporale, lamotrigine, olanzepine and carbamazepine (Sheri & Leahy, 2005). Horwitz (2002) state that Lithium carbonates is given in divided portions to minimise its effects on the kidneys. The body quickly absorbs it then it is renally excreted although it is toxic to the kidneys. According to Wettstein (2005), if Lithium is prescribed to Ethan the physicians must be keen to monitor its level in his blood. Toxicity occurs when its level is too high in the blood; therefore, it is necessary to keep the patient under regular checking. Ethan may need regular blood tests and his consumption of water be monitored to ensure that he drinks enough to prevent dehydration. It is essential to ensure that the level of salt in his diet is sub-standard since both low and high salt levels can increase the lithium level in the blood (Beard, Hayter , & Shenkar, 2004). Diagnostic classification systems The American Psychiatric Association, (2006) states that there are various diagnostic systems used globally however, the best, and the commonly used in the western nations are ICD-10 and DSM-IV although states countries like China are coming up with their own systems. DSM-IV was developed by the American Psychiatric Association with the intention of guiding the assessment of mental health disorders. This manual is regularly updated to fit the demand of the society and the changes taking place, because mental health disorders are becoming more complex. This system is best suited to diagnose the condition of Ethan by the use of its 5-axis classifications which enhances the process of evaluating his condition. This helps to ensure that none of the area of concern especially that can enable the physician to identify the exact problem of the patient is overlooked (McGeary & Institute of Medicine, 2007). Axis I concerns the psychiatric diagnoses apart from those of the mental retardation and personality disorders. Axis II deals with the developmental diagnoses and comes in after Axis-I fail (Helzer, 2008). This is the best in complex situations whereby the patient is either unconscious or does not understand what is going on. According to the Institute of Medicine (U.S.) (2008), the condition of Ethan can best be diagnosed using this system due to his complicated symptoms for the physician can be able to identify the disorder. If the patient is found to be suffering from Axis I disorder an Axis II diagnosis should not be considered (American Psychiatric Association, 2007). Ortman (2007) argues that the physical diseases which the patient is suffering from are considered in Axis III. They may not be related with the psychiatric disorders so long as they are assumed to be in a position to affect the mental condition of the individual. Axis IV considers the psychological stress as a result of past or present issues taking place. The condition of Ethan might be caused by the fact that he had unsafe sex hence the Axis is necessary to ensure that his situation is fully analyzed. Axis V considers the functioning of the patient globally. The information obtained can help the physicians to plan the best medication to prescribe to Ethan as well as predicting the possible outcome after identifying the actual condition (Institute of Medicine (U.S.), 2008). A treatment plan for his inpatient care and for his discharge According to the involuntary admission under the mental health act, section 22(3), all the patients with mental complications and can be dangerous to themselves or others should be involuntarily admitted. The condition of Ethan is uncontrollable by the family members because he is violent both physically and verbally. This shows the need for the patient to be contained in the health facility until his conditions improves. Ethan can be admitted as an inpatient for a certain period of time so as to be closely monitored by the specialist. He should be guided so as to follow the medical prescriptions given by the doctor. Galanter & Kleber (2008) argue that the psychiatric treatment as an inpatient involves many processes including psychotherapy, medication and other techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation. After determining the disorder that Ethan is suffering from, the physician will be able to identify the relevant medication to prescribe to him. If he is on the medication of lithium, there is need for him to be close to a doctor for regular tests of its level in blood. Other effects of lithium includes diarrhoea, frequency urination, drowness, coordination problem or seizures as a result of abnormal brain function thus the consciousness of a person is interfered with. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive process which is considered to cause depolarization in the brain. It may cause activity in the parts of the brain with negligible discomfort. (Wettstein, 2005). The patient is required to remain in the hospital until his violent signs have cooled down thus he is less harmful to himself and the others. The concern physician will also have ample time to examine his condition prescribe the necessary medication as well as closely examining his respond to the medication (Došen & Kenneth, 2007). The counsellor should be close to ensure that Ethan is guided on other activities to undertake to keep him engaged hence overcome the temptation of going back to the alcohol abuse. This also includes introduction to good diet which will enhance his recovery as well as preventing the crave for alcohol. It is necessary for the hospital to release him when his mood is stabilised they are certain that he is much improved Galanter & Kleber (2008) states that patients need to be treated with lithium so as to heal the condition of Bipolar disorder although the doctor should be keen to ensure that its side effects do not affect the patient. Too much of it or its toxicity might affect the functioning of the kidney or the patient might suffer from dehydration the patients needs too much fluid in the body to avoid dehydrating. This can be accompanied by other drugs to minimise the severity of the moods like stabilising his mood, for example, carbamazepine tablets or tegretol. This helps the patient to recover quickly (Lefley et al, 2006). The most essential thing is that while in the hospital, the patient should be put under medication for the doctor to have time to study his response to the medicines prescribed hence strategize on the action to take, whether to change the medicine or continue offering it (Kleinman & Lin 2006). Discharge plan and outpatient medication Beard et al (2004) argues that the patient can be discharged after a thorough assessment to ensure that he is free from any complications. There are two stages of discharging which can be involved. He should first be discharged from the institutes for mental diseases, the private intermediate care units for persons with mental complications and be released to join the other inmates. After he has proven to be mature enough, he can be completely discharged from the medical facility. He together with the close friends and relatives will be taken through some counselling classes to ensure that all the medical advices are followed and enable him to overcome the craving for alcohol. They will also be able to observe his behaviour and report to the relevant physicians in case of any abnormalities or when they go for the appointments (Marie, 2006). The outpatient medical services also involves the process of examining his mental condition after he is through with the medication to assess whether he is completely healed or not hence determine the next step to consider. His family members and the close relatives need to be taken through a guidance and counselling session for alcohol abuse follow up if it is found to be a genetic problem and the mental illness. They will also know how to deal with such issues before they are uncontrollable. A community health nurse should plan on regular visits to observe his behaviour as well as healing progress. This should continue until they are sure that the patient is completely healed and back to his normal senses. (Videbeck, 2010). Conclusion Diagnosing and the treatment of patients with mental health disorders depend on the severity of the symptoms. Those whose conditions are complicated like that of Ethan should be handled with the seriousness that it deserves. The condition should be well analyzed including psychotherapy, medication and many other techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation to add the information got after interviewing the relatives and close friends on the condition (Boyd, 2007). The patient should be made to remain in the hospital until his symptoms ease to the level of being managed by those living with him. This too provides the doctor with time to monitor his conditions for identification of the proper medication. Reference list Phillips L. (2006). Mental illness and the body: beyond diagnosis. New York: Routledge. American Psychiatric Association, (2007). Taking Care of Mental Illness Patients and Substance Abuse: A Compendium of Editorials from Psychiatric Help, New York: American Psychiatric Pub. Ortman C. (2007). The dual diagnosis recovery sourcebook: a physical, mental, and spiritual approach to addiction with an emotional disorder, New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. American Psychiatric Association, (2006). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV-TR, Michigan: American Psychiatric Association. Bolton D. (2008). What is mental disorder? 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