Hlt301 Assessment Task 2: Workbook 40%

Hlt301 assessment task 2
HLT301 ASSESSMENT TASK 2: WORKBOOK 40%
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Hlt301 assessment task 2
1. Define a mental state assessment and describe why it is a useful tool in
understanding a person’s emotional and cognitive functioning?
Mental state assessment is a tool used in psychiatric and neurological studies
to assess the mental capabilities of the patient on basis of observations that includes
appearance, behaviour, mood, speech, thought process, thought content, attitude,
insight, perception, cognition and judgement of the patient (Myers 2015).
This tool works to provide signs and symptoms of mental disorders with its
detailed analysis strategies. The assessment strategies work to examine the mental
health status that provides a clear picture of a person’s emotional and cognitive
functioning of mind. Further, the information obtained from mental state assessment
also helps to develop a specific treatment plan for the specific patient under
observation (Baer 2015).
2. Describe Alison’s appearance and behaviour
Appearance
Alison is a 38-year-old female middle-aged female looking older than her
exact age with messy appearance, average height, overweight, no proper grooming,
shabby clothing and dull presentation. She described herself as exhausted and
miserable. Alison looked sad, hopeless and tired. Her sensitive state of mind was
clearly visible in her appearance.
Behaviour
Alison showed no proper eye contact, low mood, low appetite, a problem with
concentration, sleeplessness, low energy, tense and very exhausted. She felt useless
about herself being a failure as a mother, although she is also very much worried
about her kids. Alison also showed having low confidence and low self-esteem
behaviour.
3. Differentiate between mood and affect, and then describe affect as it relates to
Alison
The difference between mood and affect has always been a topic of debate in
psychological studies till today. Yet affect is considered as the external display of a
person’s emotional status whereas mood is considered as a person’s predominating
emotional status as one particular moment (Bianchi, Schonfeld and Laurent 2015).
According to Miller and Raison (2016) studies, affect has a short life while mood can
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Hlt301 assessment task 2
last longer than hours. Further, affect may or may not change randomly by itself while
the mood takes time and effort from change.
Alison’s affect describes herself as sad, sensitive, exhausted and stressed. She
appeared to be mentally depressed with her life and tense about the future of her kids.
However, she showed hope and positive attitude, enough to overcome her present
situation.
4. Discuss Alison’s speech.
Alison’s speech was intense with a low pitch. She was talking very slow with
repetitive use of words like exhausted, useless and miserable. Her voice was clear but
there was hesitation observed while she sharing her thoughts as if she is not willing to
share her thoughts. She was using the word ‘no’ many times in her speech.
5. What physiological signs or symptoms associated with a depressive episode
can you identify in the interview with Alison?
The psychological signs of depression identified in Alison’s case are: -
Behaviour
 She is not going for outing and meeting people
 She is not getting things or work done on time at office/home
 She is getting detached from her kids, relatives, boyfriend and family.
 She is not getting indulged in any enjoyment activities.
 She is not able to concentrate, eat and sleep properly.
 She is dependant on alcohol sometimes.
Feelings
 Sad/unhappy
 Lack of physical activity
 Tearfulness without reason
 Feeling of worthlessness
 Disappointed and miserable
 Lacking confidence and self-esteem
Thoughts
 Thoughts of worthlessness, guilt, failure and suicidal attempt are clearly
noticeable in Alison’s case (Milgrom and Gemmill 2015).
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Hlt301 assessment task 2
6. Dr Taylor assesses Alison’s thought. Describe how you think she might
describe and document her findings?
The observation on thought process and content of Alison describes herself
being forgetful, failure, worthless and upset. She is not able to enjoy any type of
feeling, relationship and surrounding situations. Her decision-making capability is
weak along with lacking attentiveness towards her children. Alison is completely
blaming herself for her miserable condition. Alison took an overdose of paracetamol
with alcohol after a failed relationship with her husband, although she mentioned that
her intention was not suicidal but thought process indicates a suicidal attempt. She is
not able to concentrate or manage basic living activities like sleeping, eating, taking
care of her children, working, physical activeness and time management. Hence, her
situation clearly indicates major depressive disorder dwelling since separation with
her husband in Alison’s case (Milne 2015).
7. Consider Alison’s disclosure that she overdosed on Paracetamol tablets and
alcohol 4 years earlier. Why is this information vitally important to explore in
the context of a mental state assessment? Additionally, what information is
important to collect in Alison’s presentation today?
The Alison’s disclosure about her Paracetamol tablet and alcohol overdose 4
years earlier is a warning sign that indicates suicidal thoughts in her mind making her
case a serious and sensitive case of major depressive disorder. According to Beiter et
al (2015) studies, people facing depression can become suicidal when they get
overwhelmed with the challenges of life considering suicide as the only solution to
attain peace in life. Although, Alison indicated that her act was not intentional to
commit suicide but it was only done to get over her present stress and attain sleep.
However, her thought process indicates a suicide attempt, as per depression studies
(Rosen, Cheever and Carrier 2015).
This information indicates that Alison’s got mentally depressed by her
separation with her first husband. It was her failed relationship with her husband that
made her lose interest in her future as well.
As per today Alison presentation, she looked more hopeful to overcome her
mental health issues as she came to visit the doctor following suggestion given by her
sister. She is hopeful and willing to overcome her depression and move forward in
life. Further, Alison, indicating positive attitude and courage towards her future,
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