Nursing Education Site
Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans
Mental health and psychiatric conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and substance use disorders are heavily tested on NCLEX and central to safe, holistic nursing care.
This page brings together our mental health and psychiatric nursing diagnoses and care plans so you can quickly find focused assessments, therapeutic interventions, and rationales for common mood, psychotic, and anxiety‑related disorders.
Start with the list of individual mental health and psychiatric care plans below (mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, and crisis/suicide risk).
Open each care plan to review: brief disorder overview, key symptoms, safety risks, mental‑status assessment, nursing interventions with rationales, and expected outcomes.
Use these care plans as a study guide for NCLEX psych questions and as a quick reference when caring for patients in mental health, med‑surg, emergency, or primary care settings.
You can group your posts into Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Anxiety & Related Disorders, and Crisis, Safety, & Other Psychiatric Conditions.
Major Depression – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Dysthymia / Persistent Depressive Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Bipolar Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Postpartum Depression – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Schizophrenia – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Schizoaffective Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Acute Psychosis – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Panic Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
PTSD / Trauma‑Related Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Risk for Suicide – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Risk for Self‑Harm / Self‑Mutilation – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Ineffective Coping – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Substance Use Disorder – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Personality Disorders – Nursing Diagnosis & Care Plan
Mania is a serious mental health condition characterized by abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity levels that significantly impact daily functioning. This nursing diagnosis focuses on identifying symptoms, managing behavioral manifestations, and preventing complications while ensuring patient safety. Causes (Related to) Mania can develop due to various factors that affect mental health and brain function: … See Nursing Diagnoses
Compromised Family Coping is a nursing diagnosis that addresses situations where a family unit experiences difficulty managing emotional responses, solving problems, or supporting one another during challenging health situations. This nursing diagnosis focuses on identifying and addressing factors that affect family dynamics, promoting adaptive coping strategies, and strengthening family support systems. Causes (Related to) Family … See Nursing Diagnoses
Attention-deficit hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents unique challenges for healthcare providers, particularly nurses, who play a crucial role in patient care and family support. This comprehensive guide explores the essential nursing diagnoses, interventions, and care plans for effective ADHD management. Understanding ADHD in Clinical Settings ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, … See Nursing Diagnoses
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding OCD from a nursing perspective is crucial for providing comprehensive care and support to affected individuals. Understanding OCD: Pathophysiology and Clinical … See Nursing Diagnoses
Delirium is an acute disturbance in mental function characterized by reduced awareness of the environment and altered attention. This nursing diagnosis focuses on identifying, managing, and preventing delirium while providing comprehensive care for affected patients. Causes (Related to) Delirium can develop due to various factors, with several conditions contributing to its onset and progression: Signs … See Nursing Diagnoses