Key Areas of Assessment
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Mood (Self-Reported): Neutral, sad, anxious, irritable, euphoric.
π‘ Self-reported mood offers insight into the client’s internal emotional state and personal experience. -
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Affect (Observed Emotion): Blunted, flat, labile, inappropriate.
π‘ Observed affect provides objective clues on how emotions are externally expressed, highlighting any discrepancies. -
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Congruency: Is mood and affect aligned or mismatched?
π‘ Assessing congruency helps determine if the clientβs internal feelings match their external expressions. -
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Emotional Range: Full, restricted, heightened.
π‘ Evaluating emotional range reveals the variety and intensity of feelings, indicating flexibility or restriction in affect. -
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Fluctuation: Mood stability vs. rapid shifts (mood swings, emotional lability).
π‘ Understanding mood fluctuation is important for identifying stability or rapid shifts that could signal mood disorders. -
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Distress Indicators: Tearfulness, agitation, withdrawal, lack of motivation.
π‘ Noticing signs of distress helps pinpoint areas of emotional pain and guides the need for supportive interventions. -
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Suicidal & Self-Harm Risk: Presence of thoughts, intent, plan, protective factors.
π‘ Evaluating suicidal and self-harm risk is critical for immediate safety planning and crisis intervention. -
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Anxiety Symptoms: Excessive worry, panic, restlessness, somatic complaints.
π‘ Identifying anxiety symptoms aids in assessing the severity of anxiety and informs targeted interventions. -
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Depressive Symptoms: Fatigue, low energy, loss of interest, feelings of hopelessness.
π‘ Recognizing depressive symptoms provides essential information for addressing low mood and diminished motivation. -
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Psychotic Features: Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, thought disturbances.
π‘ Monitoring psychotic features is vital for early intervention in severe mental health conditions.
Assessment Prompts & Questions
- βHow have your emotions been over the past week?β
- βHave you noticed any changes in your mood, energy, or motivation?β
- βDo you feel your mood is stable, or does it shift frequently?β
- βDo you ever feel overwhelmed with sadness, worry, or irritability?β
- βHave you had any thoughts of harming yourself or others?β
- βDo you hear or see things that others donβt?β
- βHow well are you sleeping? Do you feel rested?β
- βAre you able to concentrate and focus on daily tasks?β
Risk Assessment & Crisis Indicators
π¨ 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.
π 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.