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Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Key Terms

Psychiatric-Mental Health NursingKey Terms
bipolar disorder
recurrent illness that involves changes in mood and energy that may be severe and involves both depression and mania, or hypomania
depression
feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
depressive disorders
mental health conditions characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulties in carrying out daily activities
elation
exhilarating state of pride and optimism without feelings of depression
hypomania
energized activity level of behavior
lethality assessment
structured evaluation of the risk factors associated with a person’s potential for engaging in a life-threatening behavior, such as suicide
mania
when a person’s mood is abnormally elevated and accompanied by high energy or activity
manic elation
symptom of a manic episode, as seen in bipolar I disorder, that is more severe and disruptive than hypomanic elation
mood disorder
disturbances in a person’s emotional state that are intense, long-lasting, and not necessarily tied to any specific event or situation
nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)
(also, self-harm) behavior involving deliberate self-inflicted harm that is not intended to result in suicide
persistent depressive disorder
(formerly called dysthymia) type of depression less severe than major depression but chronic, lasting for at least two years
self-harm
(also, nonsuicidal self-injury) behavior that involves deliberately causing harm to one’s own body as a way to cope with emotional distress or regain a sense of control
spectrum model of mood disorders
acknowledges the variability in symptom presentations and offers a framework for individualized care
suicidal ideation
thoughts, fantasies, or preoccupations with committing suicide
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