Need Psych help

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2005

I responded to another post on this topic and got some feedback that this was helpful. Study hard & good luck. I've got my lime -- I'll be waiting for the tequila!

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97493

OK, I'm in the minority here ... but I LOVED psych, and I didn't think I would like it at all.

When studying, reading test questions, etc. it's helpful to always think about the person's anxiety level/stress response. This is the key. In general, there aren't any "cures" for mental illness, except possibly transient depression r/t an adjustment disorder. Psych/mental health nursing is about helping to MANAGE those illnesses - with meds, with group & individual counseling, with education, and with lifestyle changes & stress management. So in the handwashing ritual question noted above ... a person with OCD doesn't just "overcome" their need to repeatedly & excessively wash their hands - the compulsion is their maladaptive response to stress. Initial inpatient treatment of OCD includes allowing the patient as much time as necessary to complete their rituals (to make them feel safe & decrease anxiety), then gradually decreasing the time allotted for these rituals while hopefully increasing their awareness of the anxiety that leads to the compulsive ritual.

HTH

Peachy720 · Apr 5, 2005

hi raindrop!

what publisher is your textbook with? i would find out and go to their website.

hopefully it's wadsworth or another company like them. they have different practice tests, crossword puzzles, flashcards, etc. etc. for each chapter.

http://www.wadsworth.com/psychology_d/

hope that helps! other than that, except for this semester i always re-copy my notes..helps the memory banks..re-copy notes every night and on weekends, type up notes from that week.

lunakat · Apr 6, 2005

Some of my fellow students in the program have a group on yahoo where we send NCLEX style practice quizzess to study with. There is some stuff on there for psych. If you desire I can give you the name of the group and the message numbers which apply to psych. Just drop me a PM!

HappyNurse2005, RN · Apr 6, 2005

Our psych teacher told us to make sure never to negate Maslow. Don't focus so much on mental illness, because you are in psych, that you forget the physical problems, too.

the patient's individual perception is key.

Good luck, I don't like psych very much at all, so I am feeling your pain

crb613, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2005

...in Reference to the subject, not me (yet) Hehehe.
Ok, as most of you know, I am BARELY passing. Our final test is Psych. Out of 85 q's (it's divided into 2 tests actually)...I have to AT LEAST get 68 right to pass with the LOWEST C, which is 78 at my college. So, I can only miss 17. Scary considering how I've been doing this semester.
Can any of you give me any PSYCH tips...websites, books, test Q's that you've had, websites with test Q's......ANY TIPS/SUGGESTIONS...whatever u can give me, I will take.
"If" I make it out alive- Tequilia for all of you!

I loved psych!! I suggested this to my classmate who was having a hard time & this helped her. Get an nclex book (I like Saunders) & do the questions in there & study the areas before the practice questions. Also what ever textbook you are using should have questions at the end of each chapter. Read, read & re-read!! If your book has summaries at the end of each chapter these I found were helpful too.Also pay attention in class to what area(s) your instructor seems to focus on you can bet these will be on the test.I hope this helps!

raindrop · Apr 6, 2005

Thanks for all your suggestions. I will implement them while taking the test, and hopefully I will pass. I just *know* that I am going to be super nervous though. Serious test anxiety. Whenever I bomb a test (this semester only for some reason), I definetely knew the answer when I got to review it. I always go into a test with hours and hours of study-time under my belt...and I always think I'm well-prepared, then when the test is in fron of me.....DUUUUHHHH. Not only Duh, but I read too much into it.

I don't want to medicate myself over a test, but it is the "make me or break me test."do you think I should call up my doc and ask for a anti-anxiety Rx? My life/future is in the hands of this test.

mitchsmom · Apr 7, 2005

Thanks for all your suggestions. I will implement them while taking the test, and hopefully I will pass. I just *know* that I am going to be super nervous though. Serious test anxiety. Whenever I bomb a test (this semester only for some reason), I definetely knew the answer when I got to review it. I always go into a test with hours and hours of study-time under my belt...and I always think I'm well-prepared, then when the test is in fron of me.....DUUUUHHHH. Not only Duh, but I read too much into it.
I don't want to medicate myself over a test, but it is the "make me or break me test."do you think I should call up my doc and ask for a anti-anxiety Rx? My life/future is in the hands of this test.

I wouldn't get any drugs because then you might not be able to study as well, but you have to evaluate the risk/benefit for yourself.

About studying, I would definitely ask the teacher what to zero in on and what resources to use because she is the one making the exam. They vary so much. In my psych class, it was straight from our text (Townsend) - if we knew it, we did well. This section, it's all from our notes more than the book. All the suggestions here ARE great, but I would certainly ask the teacher what you can do first so you can maximize your time - bonus points too for demonstrating to your teacher that you are concerned and wanting to do well :)

crb613, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2005

Thanks for all your suggestions. I will implement them while taking the test, and hopefully I will pass. I just *know* that I am going to be super nervous though. Serious test anxiety. Whenever I bomb a test (this semester only for some reason), I definetely knew the answer when I got to review it. I always go into a test with hours and hours of study-time under my belt...and I always think I'm well-prepared, then when the test is in fron of me.....DUUUUHHHH. Not only Duh, but I read too much into it.
I don't want to medicate myself over a test, but it is the "make me or break me test."do you think I should call up my doc and ask for a anti-anxiety Rx? My life/future is in the hands of this test.

Raindrop, I too have test anxiety. As I posted before I loved Psych but not taking tests. I started covering up the answers & just focusing on the question. I would read it & say what is it asking... What do I know about this? I would then look for the answer that matched what I thought. This worked great for me. Maybe it would help you also. Good Luck!! CRB