Nursing diagnoses identified from symptoms of stress in family members of patients who bear mental disorders

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying, starting from the symptoms of stress, the nursing diagnoses in family members of patients who bear mental disorder. Data collection was carried out from February to May 2002 by using an instrument developed from physical and psychological symptoms present in the Lipp’s Strss Symptom Inventory. The following nursing diagnoses were identified: at the phase of alert – light anxiety and disorder in the sleeping standard; at the phase of resistance – moderate anxiety, risk to damage the caregiver’s role and fatigue; at the phase of exhaustion – serious anxiety, damage on the caretaker role and impotence. One may conclude, based on the outcomes of the research, that this study will contribute so that nurses who work with mental health and similar areas can use it in order to help family members to minimize the stress stemmed from the exercise of the art of taking care.