Key Areas of Assessment

  • βœ… Mood (Self-Reported): Neutral, sad, anxious, irritable, euphoric.
    πŸ’‘ Self-reported mood offers insight into the client’s internal emotional state and personal experience.
  • βœ… Affect (Observed Emotion): Blunted, flat, labile, inappropriate.
    πŸ’‘ Observed affect provides objective clues on how emotions are externally expressed, highlighting any discrepancies.
  • βœ… Congruency: Is mood and affect aligned or mismatched?
    πŸ’‘ Assessing congruency helps determine if the client’s internal feelings match their external expressions.
  • βœ… Emotional Range: Full, restricted, heightened.
    πŸ’‘ Evaluating emotional range reveals the variety and intensity of feelings, indicating flexibility or restriction in affect.
  • βœ… Fluctuation: Mood stability vs. rapid shifts (mood swings, emotional lability).
    πŸ’‘ Understanding mood fluctuation is important for identifying stability or rapid shifts that could signal mood disorders.
  • βœ… Distress Indicators: Tearfulness, agitation, withdrawal, lack of motivation.
    πŸ’‘ Noticing signs of distress helps pinpoint areas of emotional pain and guides the need for supportive interventions.
  • βœ… Suicidal & Self-Harm Risk: Presence of thoughts, intent, plan, protective factors.
    πŸ’‘ Evaluating suicidal and self-harm risk is critical for immediate safety planning and crisis intervention.
  • βœ… Anxiety Symptoms: Excessive worry, panic, restlessness, somatic complaints.
    πŸ’‘ Identifying anxiety symptoms aids in assessing the severity of anxiety and informs targeted interventions.
  • βœ… Depressive Symptoms: Fatigue, low energy, loss of interest, feelings of hopelessness.
    πŸ’‘ Recognizing depressive symptoms provides essential information for addressing low mood and diminished motivation.
  • βœ… Psychotic Features: Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, thought disturbances.
    πŸ’‘ Monitoring psychotic features is vital for early intervention in severe mental health conditions.

Assessment Prompts & Questions

  • β€œHow have your emotions been over the past week?”
  • β€œHave you noticed any changes in your mood, energy, or motivation?”
  • β€œDo you feel your mood is stable, or does it shift frequently?”
  • β€œDo you ever feel overwhelmed with sadness, worry, or irritability?”
  • β€œHave you had any thoughts of harming yourself or others?”
  • β€œDo you hear or see things that others don’t?”
  • β€œHow well are you sleeping? Do you feel rested?”
  • β€œAre you able to concentrate and focus on daily tasks?”

Risk Assessment & Crisis Indicators

🚨 High-Risk Indicators:

  • Active suicidal ideation with a plan and intent.
  • Expressed hopelessness or feeling of being a burden.
  • Command hallucinations instructing self-harm or violence.
  • Severe agitation, panic, or dissociation impairing functioning.

πŸ›‘ Crisis Response Steps:

  • Immediate safety planning with the client.
  • Emergency referral or escalation (GP, crisis team, A&E, safeguarding).
  • Engagement with support networks (family, peer support, professionals).
  • Discuss coping strategies: grounding techniques, self-soothing, structured routine.