Mental Health Nursing - Case Study Example

Mental Health Nursing Insert Name Insert Grade Course Insert Tutor’s Name Insert Date Question 1 Drug and substance abuse is a great problem to the world’s population today. Substance abuse can be described as a sequence of continued use of substance that has adverse and unwanted effects on an individual. In accordance to the DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse, the individual subject to abuse should be negatively affected socially, legally and professionally in addition to showing interpersonal impairment in routine tasks and responsibilities (NCBI, 2013). For any given case therefore, an individual should be seen to have been influenced by at least one of the four impairment areas within a period of 12 months. It is therefore important that there is a complete diagnosis on an individual to help ascertain whether he or she meets the criteria stated. The case study presents Mr. Harry who has been affected by substance abuse according to the DSM-IV substance abuse disorder. This is because according to the case, he has been associated with three main substance abuse disorder characteristics. First, Harry has been a failure when it comes to performance at the workplace. This behavior identifies with the criteria for evaluation that indicates a constant feature of failure by an individual to perform his or her responsibilities competently because of substance abuse. Secondly, the constant substance abuse must be linked to legal complications. It is evident from the case that Harry has been under police investigation having caused trouble in a social place. Lastly, Harry has been a failure in terms of committing to interpersonal relationships. For instance, his girlfriend has been stated to have given up on him because of his irritable smoking and drinking habits that has been embarrassing. Question 2 Identical to the case study, the Australian population has in the recent years been affected by a common and persistent cannabis use especially among the older members of the society contrary to expectations that it might be a problem of the youth (ANCD, 2013). A recent survey by the Australian National Council on Drugs has indicated that a massive 5.5 million Australians have used this substance at some point in their lives. In the past 12 months preceding to the survey, almost 2 million Australians have abused cannabis with over 300,000 Australians aged 14 years and above found out to be daily abusers (ANCD, 2013). From the outset, the statistics by the country’s organ responsible for control of drug and substance abuse might be alarming. However, it is important to look at the possible causes of such use, hospitalization rates and the burden of its use among the population under study. First, like Harry, most people have been found to commonly accompany the use of cannabis with heavy drinking to escape from their social problems. The cause of heavy cannabis smoking in the country has therefore been associated with problems within the social set ups of living and the inability of some individuals to face the challenges they are subjected to. However, there are indications that there has been a decrease in the use of cannabis in the country. A worrying trend according to the survey however is that there has been a marked increase in the amount consumed among persistent abusers of this substance. The highest number of users falls in the age bracket between 20 and 39 with the elder members of this age bracket reported to be heavy users (ANCD, 2013). In terms of hospitalization, statistics indicate that up to 10% of Australians in drug related treatment have reported the use of this drug. Question 3 There are numerous scholarly and theoretical dimensions towards a possible explanation on the development of Harry’s substance use disorder. For the purposes of this case study however, it is important to highlight that substance use disorder has been linked to an individual’s interaction and correlation with various internal and external factors. Harry’s problems can therefore be of a biologically, socio-culturally, psychologically or environmentally related nature. Harry’s problem can therefore be explained using biological and psychological theories. To begin, Harry has a biological connection to drug and substance abuse. Theoretically, some social problems have been identified to have a lineage bearing as in the case of Harry. It is indicated that the victim’s father was a heavy drinker. Harry might have therefore possibly carried the genetic linkage of the drinking habit from his parent. Since cannabis use and heavy drinking has been linked by numerous studies, it is therefore easy to trace the origin of Harry’s disorder biologically. For an individual with an alcoholic’s background, research indicates that there is a high likelihood that the sensitivity for consumption might erupt in the late stages of growth and this might be an explanation for Harry’s heavy drinking in his late 20’s. On the other hand, psychological theories have associated substance abuse to personalities who would like to escape from the social challenges they face. According to the case, Harry’s parents were not in good terms and this might have affected the way he was brought up. It is therefore right to link Harry’s frustrations in life with the problems he faced in his childhood having been in a violent family where his father constantly abused the mother. Question 4 Substance abuse is commonly linked to a variety of mental health related problems. Cannabis in particular has been found to have a negative influence on an individual’s mental health as depicted in the case of Harry. The three major risks Harry has been exposed to include that of self-harm, harm to others and that of being depressed. To begin, self harm arises from the violent nature of the individual after consumption of cannabis. In the case of Harry, he is bound to hurt himself as an act of desperation owing to his condition. For instance, it is indicated that the victim of substance abuse has constantly allowed himself to be hit in order for him to forget his problems. Further, Harry is at risk of committing suicide as have been associated with victims of substance abuse who are bound to be neglected or feel unwanted in the society they live in. Secondly, Harry is at risk of being depressed. Depression is likely to emanate from his daily experiences and the incapability created by his intake of cannabis and alcohol that may make him feel helpless or useless. Depression can be experienced by individuals at any given point in their lives (Leahy and Holland, 2012). However, for substance abuse cases that may have gone to extreme disorder levels identical to Harry’s condition, the risk is relatively higher. This is because it is common to find that affected individuals are always low in terms of self-esteem. For instance, in the case of Harry, the fact that his girlfriend has abandoned him may make him feel empty and unwanted. Lastly, Harry is also at risk of violence to others. It is evident from the case that he is a man full of anger. For instance, he has been involved in a police case after causing trouble at a nightclub. The risk is further enhanced by the fact that he feels alone and that no one may be there for him and therefore acts in desperation to make his feelings known. On the other hand, it is common to find people ridiculing such individuals, which may always result in further anger. Having been diagnosed on admission, Harry has been found to be irritable and hence likely to harm anyone at slight provocation and given his mental condition, his judgment may not always be right. Question 5 & 6 Problem Interventions Rationales 1.Depression 2.Self harm 3. violence to others 1. Concentrate on the potential of the patient to overcome his situation. For instance, major on his strengths (Leahy and Holland, 2012). 2. encourage the patient to take personal initiatives and reduce his dependency on others (Young et al., 2008) 3. Guide the patient on the best way of taking antidepressant medication. In addition, it is important to create awareness on possible side effects ( Harkness et al., 2010) 1. A thorough evaluation of how Harry’s alcohol and cannabis use is likely to have an impact on his physical, emotional and social well-being. It is important to check for the potential of the patient extending this harm to others close to him. Ascertain whether the patient has a suicide plan identified. 2. strive to achieve a close and trustworthy relationship with the patient 3. keep a constant personal enquiry on the patient with respect to suicidal thinking 1. Take a lot of precaution when approaching the patient. For instance, it is important to approach him sideways to be able to avoid eye contact that is likely to result into confrontation (Varcarolis, 2010) 2. Allow the patient constantly express his anger in a more composed way 3. During admission, it is important to state from the onset that certain behaviour will not be entertained 1. Pointing out and appreciating an individual’s core competencies helps in boosting self esteem and particularly important for depression cases 2. Helps in eliminating the feeling of being worthless in society 3. Awareness is important for effective administration of prescribed medication and empowering the patient to take personal responsibility for his condition ((Leahy and Holland, 2012). 1. Important for knowing the levels of risk on the patient’s part for intervention purposes 2. By keeping Harry close, it will be important for boosting his self-esteem. In addition, the patient will be easy to handle and guide during the rehabilitation period (Varcarolis, 2010). 3. This will help in finding out whether the patient has inclinations towards committing suicide. It also provides an avenue for correcting the situation before it worsens 1. this helps the care givers in protecting themselves from the risk of violent reaction from the patient 2.ensures that the patient recovers from built up anger and aggression important for the intervention process 3.Creates an understanding on what is right and wrong within the set up and hence responsible development of patient Reference ANCD, (2013). Facts on Cannabis. Online Accessed on 16 Aug, 2013 from http://www.ancd.org.au/News-and-announcements-2006/facts-on-cannabis.html Harkness, E et al. (2010). Identifying Psychosocial Interventions That Improve Both Physical and Mental Health in Patients With Diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Care, vol. 33 no. 4 p926-930 Leahy, R and Holland, S. (2012). Treatment Plans and Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Disorders. New York: Guilford Press NCBI, (2013). DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence. Online Accessed on 16 Aug, 2013 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44358/  Varcarolis, E. (2010). Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Planning: Assessment Guides, Diagnoses. Oxford: Elsevier Publishers Young, J et al. (2008). Efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training: an indicated preventive intervention for depression. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Volume 47, Issue 12, pages 1254–1262 Read More