Mentally ill

[apnurserock]

How do you feel about doing patient education with the mentally ill? Do you feel as though that all mental ill patients should have a guardian?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Not necessarily it depends on the diagnosis and how severely the condition affects the patients thought process, reasoning and cognition. A patient with well controlled bipolar 1 who is compliant with recommended treatment should not be required to have a guardian

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Not necessarily it depends on the diagnosis and how severely the condition affects the patients thought process, reasoning and cognition. A patient with well controlled bipolar 1 who is compliant with recommended treatment should not be required to have a guardian

This. There are varying degrees of mental illness. And just like any other illness it can be more severe at certain times depending on whether they take their meds and stress in their life at a particular time. I think that would be for the physician or psychiatrist to determine whether the person was capable of handling instructions or needed a guardian. I would only think though a guardian would be needed in extreme cases. Because you are entering a slippery slope when trying to decide whether a person can take care of themselves or not and why you usually see it go to court.

[elkpark]

"Do you feel as though that all mental ill patients should have a guardian?"

Tell that to all the licensed, practicing nurses here with psychiatric diagnoses ...

[SallyTheCamel]

"Do you feel as though that all mental ill patients should have a guardian?"

Tell that to all the licensed, practicing nurses here with psychiatric diagnoses ...

I have a diagnosis of dysthmic depression, so would be classified as "mentally ill".

I would be absolutely offended if someone suggested I need a guardian.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

"Do you feel as though that all mental ill patients should have a guardian?"

Tell that to all the licensed, practicing nurses here with psychiatric diagnoses ...

The idea of needing a guardian just because I have bipolar disorder is laughable. There are times when I definitely need a caregiver because I'm in the middle of a mood episode and lack insight, but I'm perfectly capable of running my own life the rest of the time. Sheesh.

[amoLucia]

I have a diagnosis of dysthmic depression, so would be classified as "mentally ill".

I would be absolutely offended if someone suggested I need a guardian.

By OP's query, hoarders would require a guardian.

And I believe there was a time not so long ago when gays, alcoholics and anyone having sex outside of marriage were labeled.

[caliotter3]

I recently worked with a client who obviously has undiagnosed mental illness. This person is functioning in society and having their needs met. Quite frankly they are doing better at the life game than I, without mental impairment, am doing. I commend that person to be able to make others miserable while usually getting what they want. I make this derogatory comment about the individual because they openly discussed with me and laughed about how they made themselves a nuisance to everyone around them. Maybe those of us who enable these people are the ones who need guardians.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I am very in favor of education with mentally ill pts. I am also very in favor of education with mentally healthy ones.

Guardianship is for those who are incompetent to make their own informed decisions, regardless of the dx. Most people with a psychiatric dx are perfectly capable of making their own decisions.

[firstinfamily, RN]

I agree with Here I Stand. Every patient, whether they are mentally ill or not should have adequate patient education. It would be most beneficial to have a family member or healthcare provider be present for the education. On sub-acute when we needed to demonstrate colostomy care(for example) we taught the patient and the family/care member at the same time. We would arrange a time for the family member to come in and what ever shift that was, the nurse assigned to that patient did the patient education. I think what is important here is to recognize that not every patient or family member is going to process everything done in a teaching session, so having more than one representative there can be very beneficial. Then document who was present during the teaching session and that return demonstration or return verbalization was given by the patient and the care provider!! Yes, in a sense it is a CYA(cover your ass) nursing task, but it is also the opportunity for the patient and their health care provider to receive one on one teaching from a professional. Good patient education is going to become more important in our world of changing healthcare to prevent frequent re-admissions and for insurance companies/medicare to justify reimbursement. Get your rollar skates on, nursing always has the call and the obligation!!

[poojac91]

It is absolutely right that patient education is very much necessary whatever the illness is diagnosed. One can proceed further with safety and security only if the patient, nurse and family member take part in this education because they play important role in caring the patient in right way.

[twinkerrs]

Family education has been shown to be effective in reducing re hospitalization rates in many mental disorders, but this does not mean these people need a guardian. They just need family members who understand and are willing to learn.