Depression among patient is not easy to recognize because its symptoms are not visible. For a nurse it is your responsibility and your concern to know if your patient is depressed. Depression can affect the healing of your patient in many aspects. There are also cases where in the rehabilitation of your patient is longer than the expected date because of this matter. In severe cases there are also instances that sever depression can lead to physical symptoms. It is important if you will consider the emotional well being of your patient. Health is not just about physical well-being but also about the emotional, social and mental aspect as well.
To be able to play your role well you need to be inform about the different facts about depression. The occurrence of depression is higher in women than in men and this is because of the hormonal differences. The signs from a man to woman may vary about depression. A man is most likely not willing to admit his depression so he is more than angry than sad.
The common reason of depression includes separation with a love one, lost of job, serious medical problem and many others.
Here are some of the symptoms that may help you recognize that your patient is already depressed:
- Fatigue, lack of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Poor grooming
- Difficulty in sleeping
- A certain feeling of being alone
- Lack of self-confidence
- Suicidal thoughts
While doing your physical assessment or performing the vital signs check try to engaged conversation with your patient. This is to let you know about other factors that is not just about physical symptoms. You do not need any laboratory exams because this cannot diagnose depression. Be reminded that physical symptoms do not say it all when it comes to the health condition of your patient.
Tags: Depressed patient, Depression