#patient review

[reallyimpossibledetective]

Standard Criteria For Suicide Risk Assessment

I was ruminating upon an industrial dispute between an Australian private health care provider and its psychology staff, as to how they should respond when a patient in a non-mental health facility was heard to utter suicidal ideations.

I subsequently had a conversation with Copilot as to whether there are any standard criteria against which such a patient might be measured?.

There are standard criteria used in suicide risk assessments to evaluate the level of risk a patient might pose to themselves. These criteria help clinicians make informed decisions about the necessary interventions and support. Here are some common criteria used in suicide risk assessments:

Standard Criteria For Suicide Risk Assessment • Suicidal Ideation: Frequency, intensity, and duration of suicidal thoughts. • Plan: Specific details about how the individual plans to carry out the suicide. • Intent: The level of determination to follow through with the plan. • Means: Access to the tools or methods needed to carry out the plan. • Risk Factors: Presence of factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, history of trauma, or recent life stressors. • Protective Factors: Support systems, coping mechanisms, and reasons for living that might mitigate the risk. • Previous Attempts: History of past suicide attempts or self-harm. • Current Mental Health Status: Assessment of the individual's overall mental health, including any diagnoses of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. • Social Support: Availability of family, friends, or community support. • Physical Health: Any chronic or acute physical health issues that might impact the individual's mental state.

These criteria are used to categorise the level of risk into broad categories such as high risk, medium risk, low risk, or no foreseeable risk. The ultimate judgment is made by the attending clinician, based on their professional experience and the clinical presentation of the individual.

Categories of Suicidal Ideation • Attention-Seekers: Individuals who may express suicidal thoughts as a way to seek help or attention, but without a genuine intent to act on those thoughts. • Serious: Individuals with a genuine intent to harm themselves, requiring immediate and intensive intervention.

Regular Reviews Regular reviews, such as every 6 months, can be crucial in managing and supporting individuals with suicidal ideation. This mirrors the practice in secure mental health settings where patients undergo regular psychiatric assessments and reviews, ensuring continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans.

Suicide Risk Assessment Criteria Standard criteria used to evaluate individuals in these reviews might include: • Changes In Suicidal Ideation: Any changes in the frequency, intensity, or specifics of suicidal thoughts. • Adherence To Treatment: How well the individual is following prescribed treatments and therapies. • Social Support: Changes in the support system and social interactions of the individual. • Mental Health Status: Any new diagnoses, changes in existing conditions, or emerging symptoms. • Coping Mechanisms: Evaluation of existing coping strategies and their effectiveness. • Life Changes: Significant events or stressors that might impact the mental health of the individual. • Safety Planning: Updates or changes to existing safety plans.

Regular reviews can ensure that those within the suicidal ideation umbrella receive continuous, appropriate support and intervention. It is a proactive approach to maintaining their well-being and adjusting care as needed.

While someone can be required to undergo a psychiatric assessment, they cannot be forced to cooperate fully, which can limit the effectiveness of the assessment. Cooperation is crucial for an accurate evaluation, but involuntary assessments often face this challenge.

In the context of family law, the dynamics change. The Family Law Act allows for court-ordered assessments when determining the best interests of the child. If the mental health of a parent is in question, especially if they have expressed suicidal ideation, the court can mandate a psychiatric evaluation as part of the litigation process. The pressure of potential impacts on custody and parenting rights can compel parents to cooperate more fully in these assessments than they might in other areas of their lives.

This mechanism aims to ensure the welfare of the child by thoroughly evaluating the mental health of the parent and ensuring they receive appropriate care and support. It is a delicate balance between protecting the best interests of the child and respecting the autonomy of the parent.

In the context of family law, regularly reviewing mental health assessments every 6 months can be beneficial. This approach aligns with the practice of reviewing secure mental health patients and ensures that any changes in the mental state of the individual are promptly addressed. Regular reviews can help maintain the well-being of the parent and, crucially, safeguard the best interests of the child. It provides an ongoing, updated assessment of the capacity of the parent to provide a safe and supportive environment, helping the court make informed decisions about custody and parenting arrangements.

This process underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and support, particularly in complex family law dynamics where mental health issues may significantly impact the welfare of the child.

An uncooperative patient or parent can significantly complicate the assessment process. In family law, where the best interests of the child are paramount, uncooperative behaviour can impede accurate evaluations and appropriate interventions.  Challenges with Uncooperative Individuals • Incomplete Assessments: Lack of cooperation can lead to incomplete or inaccurate psychiatric evaluations. • Inconsistent Monitoring: Regular follow-ups become challenging, if the individual does not engage with the process. • Legal Complications: Ensuring compliance with court-ordered assessments might require additional legal measures.

Possible Solutions • Court-Ordered Compliance: Enforcing compliance through legal orders can ensure that assessments are completed, though it may not guarantee full cooperation. • Use of Incentives: Providing incentives or support to encourage cooperation might be effective. • Alternative Methods: Employing indirect assessment techniques, such as observations and reports from family members and professionals, can help gather necessary information. • Regular Review Process: Implementing a system of regular reviews, similar to secure mental health settings, to continuously monitor and adjust interventions.

Regular reviews every 6 months can provide ongoing insights into the mental state of the individual and their capacity to parent, ensuring that the welfare of the child is consistently prioritised.

Navigating the complexities of uncooperative behaviour in the context of family law requires a balanced approach, leveraging legal tools and supportive measures to ensure comprehensive care and fair decision-making.

[dhyzenmedia]

Gratitude for Dr. Nichole Gansemer, ND

[ducktracy]

🫵 i can smell you

[aponii1]

The silent patient by Alex Michaelides just finished this book honestly i'm speechless. This book is incredibly well written with the gripping plot and characters was well developed. The plot twist at the end caught me completely off guard it honestly left me staring at the wall for a good 20 minutes, honestly glad I have read it my reading slump is cured. If you like psychological thriller this novel is for you. (5/5)

Favourite quotes:

"Remember, love that doesn't include honesty doesn't deserve to be called love."

"Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive, and will come forth later, in uglier ways. SIGMUND FREUD."

"The aim of therapy is not to correct the past, but to enable the patient to confront his own history; and to grieve over it. ALICE MILLER."

[augustinewrites]

drinking wine, meal prepping (we will be eating this pasta for every meal for three days straight probably), and listening to one direction

[stuckinapril]

Can dementia be prevented?

Reducing the risk of it yeah, w a healthy lifestyle. Preventing it no. The first patient I saw w the specific case of dementia I’m studying is a literal heart surgeon 💀 not the average bear at all. Big brain & healthy (according to his wife) & yet started showing symptoms over a course of 6 years.

It’s so fucking scary what dementia does to you. It’s far from just being cognitive stuff/memory loss. Your behavior changes, your cognitive skills are impaired, your motor skills take a hit. The heart surgeon I’m talking about is struggling w mouth function rn, bc his muscles are atrophying as a direct result of his dementia. He legit went from operating cardiovascular surgeries last October to now not being able to speak. It’s different from case to case, but when it’s aggressive it’s fucking aggressive. The neurologist I’m shadowing was talking about how she doubted if he’d “still be here within the year” and I wanted to throw up bc what do you mean if he’ll still be here!!

[sillytriumphdragon]

*the silent patient*

Author: Alex Michaelides

Genre: Thriller

Rating: 4.5 ⭐

From the very beginning of this book, I was hooked. I found myself so wrapped up in the story, invested in unraveling the mystery behind why Alicia murdered her husband.

Michaelides does an excellent job in creating a story filled with things and characters that are meant to keep you guessing.

Written in five parts with very short chapters, this made for one fast read that was hard to put down. It's so easy to burn through a lot of pages when you think,

"Well this chapter has 3 pages, I can keep going." And the twist? That twist? I found myself continuously changing my theories as more and more details surfaced, and I truly didn't see that twist coming until it was right under my nose.

Favorite dialogue:

*“Choosing a lover is a lot like choosing a therapist. We need to ask ourselves, is this someone who will be honest with me, listen to criticism, admit making mistakes, and not promise the impossible?”*

[leporellian]

appointment to (hopefully) get anxiety medication this morning :)

[14dayswithyou]

are you a compsci major :0

✦゜ANSWERED: I wish I had the brains and dedication for that ^^; If anything, Ren would be the compsci major (if he chose to go to university with you)!! As for me though?? I'm currently double majoring in digital media and social working ;v;

[dhyzenmedia]

"Dr. Holland is the most caring, skillful, intelligent, and quick-witted doctor I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.” Dr. Holland offers cutting edge, integrative and evidence-based mental health care, proven effective with depression and anxiety, life transitions; relationships, pregnancy, parenting, ageing, loss, and much more. If you are looking for a…

[theletterboxstuff]

If yes, please tell how it was I am thinking of reading it

[sakuraspoke]

🤡

[stuckinapril]

I’ve always loved medicine bc it’s the perfect intersection of science and humanity—the two things I value above all else in this world. Truly adored it since I was in the cradle. But now I’m thinking about how so much of my journey to neurosurgery will have to involve KILLING my feelings essentially bc how do you survive otherwise

[starrynightsxo]

THE SILENT PATIENT BOOK REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Very perceptive book, I felt that the author really captured the feelings and emotions of the characters in a collected and almost mysterious way. Didn't see the plot twist coming but when I think about it, it's not that far fetched. The writing was really good and had me engaged mostly as well. Definitely recommend to all as even though I'm not a thriller girl, it appealed very much so!

SPOILERS AHEAD

The flashbacks were so unexpected I have to say that's for sure. I liked how it's done as Alicia's diary and his thoughts too. It's crazy how he brings the Kathy and Gabriel stuff together.

Overall, I enjoyed.