Mental Health Nursing

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 1
Mental Health Nursing
Name
Institution

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 2
Mental Health
Mental Health Status of Munny
Mental illness may be described as several mental health conditions that affect the behavior,
mood, and thinking of an individual. These conditions include anxiety disorders, depression,
schizophrenia, and addictive behaviors among others (Westerhof & Keyes, 2010). Mental health
concerns should not be mistaken for mental illness because they only become an illness when the
ongoing signs and symptoms such as a feeling of sadness, suicidal thoughts, and excessive fear
prevent an individual from functioning normally. From the provided case study, we are told that
Munny is stressed about his work because he starts work at 1 am. Additionally, he has become
less communicative at home and takes frequent sick leaves. His interest in food has reduced and
he has significantly lost weight. At the hospital, he is well dressed though in loose-fitting clothes
and he stares at the floor all the time slumped in his chair. He is not interested in effective
communication and only gives out mono-syllabic answers.
From the mental state examination (MSE), several components such as his appearance, behavior,
speech, and mood could be identified. MSE can be defined as examinations, observations, and
tests that describe the behaviors and mental state of the patient being examined (Snyderman &
Rovner, 2019). The main components of mental state examination that stood out were
appearance and speech. Munny’s appearance provided some clues to his ability for self-care. The
elements to assess in appearance may include Munny’s looks in comparison with his age,
grooming habits, grooming, eye contact, and distinguishing features like tattoos and scars. From
the case study, it is stated that Munny is well-groomed, however, in loose-fitting clothes. This
may be an indication of self-neglect due to depression especially after everything that he has
gone through in life (Snyderman & Rovner, 2019).

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING 3
Observation of speech is also important in assessing Munny’s mental health status. This
observation includes the coherence, rate, and spontaneity of the speech. Munny’s form of speech
is more important than the speech’s content during this examination. From the provided case
study, it is stated that Munny only responds with one-word answers and mono-syllabic
responses. He even asks the nurse to leave him alone since he is not interested in talking about
anything during the examination. This disinterest in talking could be an indication of depression
or bipolar disorder (Snyderman & Rovner, 2019).
From DSM V criteria of diagnosing depression, a patient must experience at least 5 symptoms of
depression within 2 weeks of which one of the symptoms is either loss in pleasure or a depressed
mood (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). From the case study, Munny has lost interest in
activities around the house and no longer pays attention to his kids. This apparent diminish in
interest in what he used to do is an indication of depression. Another criterion in the diagnosis is
his significant loss in weight loss due to his lack of interest in food ("Depression Definition and
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria", 2019). His wife Ary is worried because he has lost interest in food
and has lost a significant amount of weight.
From the above analysis, it is clear that Munny is experiencing depression and probably post-
trauma stress disorder due to the Khmer Rouge period that he experienced in Cambodia during
when his father was shot dead. Working hours and the employer not getting satisfied with his
work have led to him feeling stressed which could be a source of his depression.
Factors that Contributed to Munny’s Mental Health Status
From the provided scenario, we are informed that Munny is stressed about his job. He starts
work at 1 am but mostly enjoys when he gets there. He was, however, surprised when his