How to write a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Clinical Journal (Solved)

What motivates people to exhibit maladaptive behaviors?

Maladaptive behaviors prevent individuals from adjusting to different aspects of life. While the victims intend for these actions to relieve and help them avoid stress, the result is often disruptive behavior, more distress, anxiety, and discomfort (Mahoney et al., 2018).

The causes of maladaptive behaviors are diverse. Even though mentally stable individuals also acquire maladaptive behaviors, mental health conditions are more likely to predispose individuals to maladaptive behaviors (Diehl et al., 2018). These mental health conditions include anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, panic disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Stressful situations in mentally stable individuals, including job loss, death of a loved one, and divorce, significantly contribute to developing maladaptive behaviors for coping (Mahoney et al., 2018).

How will you measure therapeutic success?

After three months of a psychotherapy session, I will measure therapeutic success by evaluating symptom reduction using appropriate approved tools for symptom tracking. For instance, clients with anxiety can rate themselves on a 20-item Zung Anxiety Scale at the onset of psychotherapy and after three months to determine the efficacy of treatment (Wall & Lee, 2021).

Thoughts on various mental conditions

I believe mental illnesses are the most underdiagnosed globally since most victims do not normally perceive that they are ill. In most cultures, some mental illnesses such as bulimia nervosa might be considered normal and do not warrant medical attention.

Depression is more common among men, even though they are not quick to seek treatment due to the traditional and societal belief that men should be tough and not show any sign of weakness through mental illnesses such as depression.

I believe some people use cutting as an emotional coping mechanism, and it is dangerous as they end up harming themselves physically and predisposing themselves to infections.

I believe anorexia is commonly associated with peer pressure and low self-esteem. The strong desire to look a certain way compels individuals to eat less or more forcefully.

I think hoarding is common in people who have attachment issues in childhood. As a result, they find it difficult to let go of things that are no longer valuable. Treating this condition involves addressing childhood traumas too.

Anxiety affects even healthy individuals to a certain degree. I believe it is difficult to treat anxiety since the common triggers in healthy individuals can exacerbate the symptoms in mentally ill individuals.

Psychiatrists treating individuals with depression have to address how to stop ruminating since it is a drawback to the treatment progress in depression.

Manipulation is common even in healthy individuals. However, chronic manipulation, common among people diagnosed with some personality disorders, can be disruptive and challenging to overcome.

The childhood environment while growing up significantly contributes to developing passive aggression. Punishing a child for expressing their negative emotions contributes to passively or indirectly communicating their intentions as adults.

I believe bullying is not a mental illness but what children are taught and exposed to when growing up. In the company of their peers, they demonstrate those traits.

Are humans trustworthy? Are clients with mental illness trustworthy?

A provider has to use their judgment to discern whether they can trust a client. Some clients can fake a mental illness, for example, some of those accused of crimes certain crimes.

Are clients with mental illness generally self-centered and selfish, or do they have the ability to empathize and show concern for others?

Depending on the mental illness, the signs and symptoms manifest differently. However, being selfish or empathetic might be due to an illness or the intrinsic nature of a person.

Can clients with mental illness change?

With effective psychotherapy and strong reinforcement, these clients can change by demonstrating symptom reduction of the maladaptive behaviors.

Do you believe that mental illness is prevalent? Why or why not?

I believe mental illnesses are prevalent, owing to the increasing rate of stressful life circumstances such as inflation, unemployment, and deaths.

References

Diehl, M. M., Lempert, K. M., Parr, A. C., Ballard, I., Steele, V. R., & Smith, D. V. (2018). Toward an integrative perspective on the neural mechanisms underlying persistent maladaptive behaviors. The European journal of neuroscience, 48(3), 1870.

Mahoney, A., Hobbs, M. J., Newby, J. M., Williams, A. D., & Andrews, G. (2018). Maladaptive Behaviours Associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: An Item Response Theory Analysis. Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy, 46(4), 479–496. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465818000127

Wall, A., & Lee, E. (2021). What do anxiety scales really measure? An item content analysis of self-report measures of anxiety.