The assessment of mental health problems is vital to the successful planning and treatment for people suffering from them. This unique book provides a step-by-step giude to conducting this assessment, giving student nurses a humanistic perspective on the subject. This best-seller, written by one of the most experienced authors in this field has been updated to reflect new concepts and ideas.

Preface Part One: The Nature Of Psychosocial Assessment 1. Assessment: The Analysis Of The Obvious 2. The Interview: Purposeful Conversation 3. The History: Disentangling The Web 4. An Overview Of Assessment Methods Part Two: Some Specific Applications 5. Anxiety: The Rust Of Life 6. Mood: The Sickness Of The Soul 7. Risk: The Need For Emotional Security 8. Relationships: Crises Of The Self And Others 9. Psychosis: Tales From The Underworld 10. The Environment: Boundaries Of The Self Part Three: In Search Of The Whole Person 11. Moral And Ethical Issues In Assessment 12. The Whole Person: Reality And Challenges 13. The Holistic Assessment: Dreams And Possibilities Appendix A: The Research Development Of Assessment Instruments Appendix B: Psychosocial Assessment: A Selective Biography index