ABSTRACT
Psychopharmacology is a critical component of psychiatric home care. Nurses play an important role in medication management for patients who require this intervention. Knowledge of psychopharmacologic assessment, phases of psychopharmacologic treatment, psychobiology, and critical issues related to specific classes of medication is essential in developing a treatment plan with the patient and implementing it. Recent psychobiology research has indicated the importance of neurotransmitters, genetics, and the effect of the immune and endocrine systems. Critical issues related to anxiolytic medications, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications are described.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/drug therapy , Mental Disorders/nursing , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use , Humans , Neurotransmitter Agents/physiology , Nursing Assessment , Patient Education as Topic , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The families of psychiatric patients struggle throughout their member's illness with the change it brings and their own feelings about the illness. In the past, families were blamed for many of the problems that mentally ill people experienced, and although this perception of fault has changed, families still experience a catastrophic event when mental illness occurs. Coping will vary among families, and all experience grief as a result of their losses. Psychiatric home care can help families learn new and adaptive coping skills. Careful family assessment can be an important part of the patient's treatment, forming a partnership to reintegrate the ill person into the family and home.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Caregivers , Family/psychology , Life Change Events , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Caregivers/psychology , Grief , Home Care Services , Humans , Mental Disorders/nursing , Nursing AssessmentABSTRACT
Psychiatric home care offers excellent opportunities to help the psychiatric patient achieve positive outcomes. Home care agencies need to develop a treatment model that supports the type of care provided to the psychiatric patient, such as psychiatric rehabilitation. This model purports that mental illness is a biologic illness affected by stress and inadequate problem-solving and coping skills. These patients have inadequate social skills, but they can improve. This article describes interactive tools and methods that the home care staff can use with such patients and their families.
Subject(s)
Case Management , Home Care Services , Mental Disorders/rehabilitation , Humans , Mental Disorders/psychology , Models, Theoretical , Patient Care Planning , United StatesABSTRACT
Psychiatric patients in home care require support and treatment, but they also need to learn skills and self-management that will assist them after home care ends. Mental illness can be compared with any long-term illness, such as diabeteS or arthritis, in that patients should be prepared to cope with their illness through self-management. Mental illness should be considered no differently because patients also experience fluctuation in symptoms as a result of stress and the changing nature of their illnesses and will not always require intensive treatment.