Post by Kimberley on Jul 7, 2015 13:33:20 GMT
Reflect on the Dual Diagnosis workshop and describe what your greatest learning from this workshop was and also how you will implement this into your practice
From coming to Monash Health and working in mental health, I have cared for many patients who have dual diagnosis or may present with symptoms of dual diagnosis. On my first rotation in unit 1; an acute mental health ward, it is very common to have patients present with both a mental illness as well as a substance abuse problem. More so than alcohol, illicit drugs especially ice, is a huge problem on the unit.
Dual diagnosis is when a person is affect of both a mental illness as well as alcohol and substance use. It is also sometimes called 'comorbidity', 'comorbid disorders' or 'co-occurring disorders' (Australian Drug Foundation, 2015). They interact with each other to worsen the diagnosis but also effect aspects of your life (Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, 2013). In Australia, it is estimated that around 25% of people with affective disorders or anxiety disorders and substance use disorders also have another mental disorder (Better Health Channel, 2015. Around 75 per cent of people with alcohol and substance use problems may have a mental illness (Better Health Channel, 2015).
The dual diagnosis workshop taught me to identify the different stages; pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and relapse. By recognizing these stages, it assisted with building a relationship with my patients. I have been more aware of the helping my patients get to the action stage so that together we can improve their mental health. I was aware that the stages may not run in order have to be ready for the relapse stage at any time. I have also been more aware of the relapse stage and the circle that may go through for recovery.
It is difficult to know for health professionals if the patient has been admitted due to a pre-existing mental health illness or if it is the substance use that has induced the psychosis. Treatment may be a problem, having access to particular treatment. Being in an acute setting, I have learnt to assess the patient over a long period of time, understanding their baseline and noticing any improvement including presenting with less psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations). Also, treating both diagnoses rather than focusing on the one will aid the patient to the action stage and help for recovery.
Understanding that some patients will either never stop using illicit drugs can be frustrating for nurses. Treating the patient while off drugs/alcohol in an acute inpatient setting can be both easy as well as challenging. Patients on the unit may be clean from drugs for their stay and this makes it simple to treat the mental illness. However patients who still have access to drugs/alcohol while on the unit or on day leave, can be challenging, as we need to manage the dual diagnosis as well as the presenting psychotic symptoms.
References
Australian Drug Foundation. (2015). Facts and Resources About Alcohol and Drugs: Mental Health. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.druginfo.adf.org.au/topics/mental-health
Better Health Channel. (2015). Mental Illness: Dual Diagnosis. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/BHCARTICLES.NSF/pages/Dual_diagnosis?open
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. (2013). Understanding Dual Diagnosis: Mental Illness and Substance Use. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.mifellowship.org/sites/default/files/styles/Fact%20Sheets/Understanding%20Dual%20Diagnosis.pdf
From coming to Monash Health and working in mental health, I have cared for many patients who have dual diagnosis or may present with symptoms of dual diagnosis. On my first rotation in unit 1; an acute mental health ward, it is very common to have patients present with both a mental illness as well as a substance abuse problem. More so than alcohol, illicit drugs especially ice, is a huge problem on the unit.
Dual diagnosis is when a person is affect of both a mental illness as well as alcohol and substance use. It is also sometimes called 'comorbidity', 'comorbid disorders' or 'co-occurring disorders' (Australian Drug Foundation, 2015). They interact with each other to worsen the diagnosis but also effect aspects of your life (Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, 2013). In Australia, it is estimated that around 25% of people with affective disorders or anxiety disorders and substance use disorders also have another mental disorder (Better Health Channel, 2015. Around 75 per cent of people with alcohol and substance use problems may have a mental illness (Better Health Channel, 2015).
The dual diagnosis workshop taught me to identify the different stages; pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and relapse. By recognizing these stages, it assisted with building a relationship with my patients. I have been more aware of the helping my patients get to the action stage so that together we can improve their mental health. I was aware that the stages may not run in order have to be ready for the relapse stage at any time. I have also been more aware of the relapse stage and the circle that may go through for recovery.
It is difficult to know for health professionals if the patient has been admitted due to a pre-existing mental health illness or if it is the substance use that has induced the psychosis. Treatment may be a problem, having access to particular treatment. Being in an acute setting, I have learnt to assess the patient over a long period of time, understanding their baseline and noticing any improvement including presenting with less psychotic symptoms (e.g. hallucinations). Also, treating both diagnoses rather than focusing on the one will aid the patient to the action stage and help for recovery.
Understanding that some patients will either never stop using illicit drugs can be frustrating for nurses. Treating the patient while off drugs/alcohol in an acute inpatient setting can be both easy as well as challenging. Patients on the unit may be clean from drugs for their stay and this makes it simple to treat the mental illness. However patients who still have access to drugs/alcohol while on the unit or on day leave, can be challenging, as we need to manage the dual diagnosis as well as the presenting psychotic symptoms.
References
Australian Drug Foundation. (2015). Facts and Resources About Alcohol and Drugs: Mental Health. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.druginfo.adf.org.au/topics/mental-health
Better Health Channel. (2015). Mental Illness: Dual Diagnosis. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/BHCV2/BHCARTICLES.NSF/pages/Dual_diagnosis?open
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. (2013). Understanding Dual Diagnosis: Mental Illness and Substance Use. Retrieved on Tuesday 7th July, 2015 from www.mifellowship.org/sites/default/files/styles/Fact%20Sheets/Understanding%20Dual%20Diagnosis.pdf