Lecture Notes: Mood and Affect

Introduction

• Topic: Differentiation between mood and affect
• Key Objectives:
  • Assessing mood and affect
  • Characteristics of normal mood and affect
  • Types of mood spectrum disorders
  • Characteristics and defining features of each disorder

Self-Concept and Its Influence

• Self-concept: How individuals see themselves
  • Influenced by relationships, development stage, physical health
• Four Main Components of Self-Concept:
  • Body Image: How one sees their physical self (positive vs. negative perception)
  • Role Performance: How one fulfills roles in life (e.g., nursing student, friend)
  • Personal Identity: Self-visualization and relational sphere
  • Self-Esteem: Positive or negative self-view, can fluctuate

Psychosocial Nursing Diagnoses

• Nurses cannot diagnose depression but can identify risk factors
• Example Diagnoses:
  • Risk for loneliness
  • Compromised family coping
  • Role conflict
• Importance of assessing mood and affect in patients

Mood vs. Affect

• Mood: Internal feeling and expression
• Affect: External display of mood
• Observation and listening are key in assessment

Anxiety

• Definition: Anticipation of threat rather than immediate danger
• Levels of Anxiety:
  • Mild Anxiety: Normal, motivational
  • Moderate Anxiety: Increased focus on anxiety source
  • Severe Anxiety: Inability to relax, physical symptoms
  • Panic: Irrational, intense symptoms

Depression

• Definition: Maladaptive response, deeper emptiness and hopelessness
• Causes: Family history, low self-esteem, traumatic events, etc.
• Nursing Approach: Listen and ensure patient safety

Older Adults and Depression

• High risk of undiagnosed depression due to isolation and role changes

Bipolar Disorder

• Alternates between depression and mania
• Bipolar I: Severe mania requiring hospitalization
• Bipolar II: Less severe hypomania, depressive episodes
• Management: Decrease external stimuli during manic states

Practice Questions

• Question 1: Prioritize listening to patients expressing emotional struggles
• Question 2: Role performance struggles seen in patient's inability to fulfill expected roles

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding mood and affect in nursing
• Encouraged to reach out for clarifications and discussions