Mental Health Nursing
A 21-year-old woman patient was admitted in the Psychiatric Ward for her panic anxiety attacks.
She was mostly quiet and unsocial, but her assigned nurse gradually developed a trusted relationship with her. In one of the interactions with the nurse, she asked about how she could improve her behaviour with her mother as regardless of anyone's fault, she yells and even hits her mother. What should be the main emphasis for health education of this patient?
Explanation
Core Concept: Psychiatric nursing and behavioral modification for patients with poor impulse control and aggression.
Clinical Presentation:
- Panic attacks, social withdrawal, verbal aggression (yelling), and physical aggression (hitting) towards family members.
Diagnosis:
- First-line: Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and risk assessment for violence.
- Gold Standard: Clinical interview utilizing DSM-5 criteria to diagnose anxiety disorders and assess coping mechanisms.
Management:
- Acute: Ensure safety, de-escalate aggressive behavior, and provide a calm environment.
- Long-term: Health education must emphasize 'coping-stress tolerance' to help the patient develop healthy, non-violent mechanisms to manage anxiety and interpersonal conflict.