S2. Ch 29: Mental Health Disorders Flashcards
Mental health indicates a capacity to cope effectively with and manage life’s stresses in an effort to achieve a state of
-emotional homeostasis
___ ___ in later life is highly individualized, based on personal resources, health status, and the unique experiences of the individual’s life
Cognitive function
The incidence of mental illness is higher among the __ than among the __.
old
young
Mental illness affects nearly __ in __ older Americans
one
five
Older adults confront many problems that challenge their emotional homeostasis such as:
- death
- illness
- retirement
- social isolation
- sensory deficits
- increased vulnerability
- increased risk of institutionalization
- greater awareness of own mortality
__ is the most frequent problem that psychiatrists treat in older adult.
Depression
Major depression ___ with advanced age and minor depression ___ in incidence with age
- decreases
- increases
Depression rates:
- community based
- long term facilities
- nursing home
- 15-25%
- 25%
- 20-30%
The most common manifestations of Depression are the vegetative symptoms, which include:
insomnia fatigue anorexia weight loss constipation decreased interest in sex
Depressed persons may express:
self-deprecation, guilt, apathy, remorse, hopelessness, helplessness, and feelings of being a burden.
Depressed persons may have problems such as:
- hygiene practices being neglected
- altered cognition
- complaints of headache or indigestion
- change in sleep for psychomotor activity patterns
The symptoms of depression can mimic those of __.
dementia
A decline in intellect and personality is usually indicative of ___.
dementia, NOT depression.
What scale is used to determine depression?
Geriatric Depression Scale, which is a yes/no short scale.
What race(s) has lower depression rates and why?
- older native Americans, African Americans, and asian Americans.
- probably because they have been misdiagnosed or missed identification.
List some options to treat depression:
- psychotherapy
- antidepressants
- electroconvulsive therapy
- herbs
- acupressure
- acupuncture
- guided imagery
- light therapy
- good basic health practices
- proper nutrition
- exercise
Suicide rates are highest among ages 45-64 at ___% per 100,000 people, with persons ages 85+ behind at ___% per 100,000 people.
- 7%
18. 6%
What gender has a higher rate of suicide at all ages?
Males
Signs of suicidal gestures:
- medication misuse
- self-starvation
- driving while intoxicated
- walking in dangerous places
- any suicidal phrases
- subjecting oneself to other risks
What are 4 options that can be used to help treat anxiety?
- drugs
- biofeedback
- guided imagery
- relaxation therapy
Some nursing interventions to help anxiety:
- allow adequate time for convo’s
- encourage and respect patients decisions
- prepare the individual for all anticipated activities
- provide basic/honest explanations
- control # and variety of people whom patient interacts with
- adhere to routines
- keep/use familiar objects
- reduce noise, lighting, etc.
Older adults who combine alcohol or illegal drugs while taking prescription medications increase their risk of ?
- adverse drug consequences
- falls
- reduced cognitive function
- abuse
- self-neglect
In addition, substance abuse can cause medical problems, such as:
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- hypertension
- muscle weakness
- peripheral neuropathy
- susceptibility to infections
What screenings can you use to identify alcohol abuse in older adults?
The Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test—Geriatric Version and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
In caring for the patient who has an alcohol problem, the long-term goal is __.
sobriety
Sobriety can only be achieved if the patient:
acknowledges the problem and takes responsibility for doing something about it.
Paranoia can be caused by:
- endocrine disorders (hyperparathyroidism)
- adverse response to some drugs
Some of the adverse effects of the medications used to treat psychiatric disorders can lead to:
anorexia, constipation, falls, incontinence, anemia, lethargy, sleep disturbances, and confusion.
Behavioral problems are actions that are:
annoying, disruptive, harmful, or generally deviate from the norm and that tend to be recurrent in nature
Behavioral problems include:
physical or verbal abuse, resistance to care, repetitive actions, wandering, restlessness, suspiciousness, and inappropriate sexual behavior and undressing
___ is the first step in assisting the patient who displays behavioral problems.
Assessing the cause of the behavior
Problems that older adults confront that may challenge emotional homeostasis:
- maybe they cant mow the lawn anymore
- maybe they cant afford medications anymore
