Principles of
mental health nursing
Principles are based on the concept that
individual has intrinsic worth and dignity and he has potential to grow.
Principles provide sense of individuality, safety and comfort to the patient.
l. Accept
the patient as human being or exactly as he is
·
Non-judgmental and non-punitive.
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Show your interest in the patient as a person.
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Talk with purpose.
·
Listening skills.
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Recognize and reflect on patients feelings.
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Permit the patient to express strong feelings.
2.Use self-
understanding as a therapeutic tool
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Accept once own strength and weakness.
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Be assertive and realistic in life situations.
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Participate in group conferences.
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Act the way we do.
3.Use
consistent behavior to increase the patient's emotional security.
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Exhibit consistency in the attitude.
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Perform consistency in the routine work.
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Define consistency in the limitation placed on
the patient.
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Show consistency in our approach,
4.Reassurance
should be given in subtle and acceptable manner.
·
It enhances the confidence level.
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Demands, the analysis of the situations.
·
Listen to patient problems without
disapproval.
·
Sit next to him, even he does not talk.
5.Change
the patient's behavior through emotional experience not by rational
interpretation.
·
Focus on feelings than intelligence.
·
Role play, socio-drama may evoke the Emotions
and insight.
·
Emotional experience brings desired changes in
the behavior.
6.Avoid
unnecessary increase in patient's anxiety.
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Not to show your own anxiety.
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Pointing out to patient's weakness.
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Contradicting his ideas. (Psychotic)
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No orientation to ward, co-patients etc.
7.Objective
observation to understand the patient behavior
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Evaluate exactly what patient's feelings,
opinion or judgment.
·
Own emotional needs should not interfere with
patient's needs.
·
Improve the skill of predicting patients
behaviors
8.Maintain
realistic Nurse Patient relationship
·
Focus on personal and emotional needs of
patient.
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Develop realistic self- concept.
·
Understand the meaning of behavior.
9.Avoid
physical and verbal-force as much as possible.
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Any method of punishment must be avoided.
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Prevent onset of undesirable behavior.
·
Once patient become controllable and
approachable, never remind him about the incident.
10.Provide
nursing care to the patient as a person and not merely to control ofsymptoms of
the disease.
·
Do analysis of symptoms to reveal the different
meaning of behavior.
·
Whole aspect of person considered for care.
11.Explain
the routine and procedure at the patient’s level of understanding.
·
Based on patients span of attention, Level of anxiety,
·
Ability to decide etc explanation given to
patient.
12.Many
procedures are modified but basic principles remain unaltered.
Underlying scientific principles remains
same.
Some of the
principle such as safety, comfort, economy, energy, material etc intact.
Principles of
psychiatric nursing are guidelines for nurses to observe in practice.
Psychiatric nursing principles are based on the concept that individual has an
intrinsic worth and dignity and he has potentiality to grow.
References
I . Stuart C W,
Sundeen SJ. Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing. Philadelphia;
Mosby;1997.
2.Boyd MN.
Psychiatry nursing contemporary practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 2002.
3.Sreevani R. A
Guide to Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing.3rd ed. Jaypee brothers; New
Delhi:2010.
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