Impaired mood regulation is a nursing diagnosis that addresses difficulties in controlling, modulating, and expressing emotions appropriately. This condition can significantly impact a patient’s daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life, requiring comprehensive nursing assessment and intervention.
Causes (Related to)
Impaired mood regulation can stem from various factors that affect emotional processing and control:
- Neurobiological factors:
- Chemical imbalances
- Neurotransmitter dysfunction
- Hormonal changes
- Psychological factors including:
- Trauma history
- Chronic stress
- Grief and loss
- Poor coping mechanisms
- History of abuse
- Environmental factors such as:
- Social isolation
- Family dysfunction
- Major life changes
- Substance use
- Sleep disturbances
Signs and Symptoms (As evidenced by)
For accurate assessment and intervention, Impaired mood regulation presents various manifestations that nurses must recognize.
Subjective: (Patient reports)
- Difficulty controlling emotional responses
- Rapid mood swings
- Intense emotional reactions
- Feeling overwhelmed by emotions
- Problems with emotional expression
- Difficulty returning to baseline mood
- Social withdrawal
- Sleep disturbances
Objective: (Nurse assesses)
- Inappropriate emotional responses
- Rapid shifts in affect
- Increased psychomotor agitation
- Poor impulse control
- Difficulty engaging in therapeutic activities
- Changes in appetite
- Altered sleep patterns
- Physical manifestations of emotional distress
Expected Outcomes
The following outcomes indicate successful management of impaired mood regulation:
- The patient will demonstrate improved emotional control
- The patient will utilize effective coping strategies
- The patient will maintain appropriate social interactions
- The patient will express emotions in healthy ways
- The patient will show a reduced frequency of mood swings
- The patient will maintain stable sleep patterns
- The patient will engage in daily activities effectively
- The patient will report an improved quality of life
Nursing Assessment
Monitor Emotional Status
- Assess mood patterns and triggers
- Evaluate emotional responses
- Document mood changes
- Note coping mechanisms
- Observe interpersonal interactions
Evaluate Support Systems
- Assess family relationships
- Identify social support network
- Review community resources
- Check cultural factors
- Document spiritual support
Assess Physical Status
- Monitor vital signs
- Check sleep patterns
- Evaluate appetite and nutrition
- Note physical activity level
- Document medication compliance
Review Risk Factors
- Assess suicide risk
- Check trauma history
- Document substance use
- Evaluate stress levels
- Monitor environmental triggers
Evaluate Functional Impact
- Assess daily activities
- Check work/school functioning
- Review relationship status
- Document self-care abilities
- Monitor social engagement
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing Care Plan 1: Impaired Emotional Regulation
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Impaired Emotional Regulation related to neurobiological factors and inadequate coping mechanisms as evidenced by rapid mood swings and difficulty maintaining emotional stability.
Related Factors:
- Neurotransmitter imbalances
- Poor coping skills
- History of trauma
- Chronic stress
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Implement a tracking system
Rationale: Helps identify patterns and triggers - Teach mindfulness techniques
Rationale: Improves emotional awareness and control - Practice grounding exercises
Rationale: Provides tools for emotional regulation
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will demonstrate improved emotional control.
- The patient will utilize effective coping strategies
- The patient will reporta decreased frequency of mood swings
Nursing Care Plan 2: Risk for Social Isolation
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Risk for Social Isolation related to impaired mood regulation as evidenced by withdrawal from social activities and reduced interpersonal interactions.
Related Factors:
- Fear of emotional outbursts
- Shame about mood instability
- Reduced social confidence
- Limited support system
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Encourage structured social interactions
Rationale: Builds confidence in social settings - Facilitate group therapy participation
Rationale: Provides a safe environment for social practice - Develop a social support plan
Rationale: Establishes reliable support network
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will maintain regular social interactions
- The patient will participate in group activities
- The patient will report increased social confidence
Nursing Care Plan 3: Disturbed Sleep Pattern
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Disturbed Sleep Pattern related to emotional dysregulation as evidenced by difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep.
Related Factors:
- Emotional arousal
- Racing thoughts
- Anxiety
- Irregular daily routine
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Establish a sleep hygiene routine
Rationale: Promotes regular sleep patterns - Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Reduces nighttime emotional arousal - Monitor sleep patterns
Rationale: Tracks improvement in sleep quality
Desired Outcomes:
- Patient will maintain a regular sleep schedule
- The patient will report improved sleep quality
- The patient will demonstrate decreased daytime fatigue
Nursing Care Plan 4: Ineffective Coping
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Ineffective Coping related to inadequate stress management skills as evidenced by maladaptive responses to emotional triggers.
Related Factors:
- Limited coping strategies
- Past trauma
- Poor problem-solving skills
- Overwhelming stress
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Teach stress management techniques
Rationale: It provides healthy coping tools - Practice problem-solving skills
Rationale: Improves ability to handle challenges - Implement a crisis management plan
Rationale: Ensures safety during emotional crises
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will demonstrate effective coping strategies.
- The patient will report reduced stress levels
- The patient will show improved problem-solving abilities
Nursing Care Plan 5: Risk for Self-Directed Violence
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Risk for Self-Directed Violence related to intense emotional states as evidenced by expressed feelings of hopelessness and previous self-harm attempts.
Related Factors:
- Severe mood swings
- History of self-harm
- Poor impulse control
- Limited support system
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Implement safety plan
Rationale: Prevents self-harm during crisis - Provide crisis intervention training
Rationale: Equips patient with emergency coping skills - Monitor risk factors regularly
Rationale: Enables early intervention
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will maintain safety
- The patient will utilize crisis resources appropriately
- The patient will demonstrate improved impulse control
References
- Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Makic, M. B., Martinez-Kratz, M. R., & Zanotti, M. (2023). Nursing diagnoses handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
- Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., & Hagler, D. (2022). Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, Single Volume. Elsevier.
- Herdman, T. H., Kamitsuru, S., & Lopes, C. (2024). NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses – Definitions and Classification, 2024-2026.
- Ignatavicius, D. D., Rebar, C., & Heimgartner, N. M. (2023). Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care. Elsevier.
- Menefee DS, Ledoux T, Johnston CA. The Importance of Emotional Regulation in Mental Health. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2022 Jan 12;16(1):28-31. doi: 10.1177/15598276211049771. PMID: 35185423; PMCID: PMC8848120.
- Saccaro, L. F., Giff, A., De Rossi, M. M., & Piguet, C. (2024). Interventions targeting emotion regulation: A systematic umbrella review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 174, 263-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.025
- Silvestri, L. A. (2023). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
- Toscano F, Giusino D, Diana R, Rahimi Pordanjani T. The Role of Emotional Regulation in the Relationship between Nurses’ Creative Style and Innovation Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nurs Rep. 2023 May 24;13(2):811-822. doi: 10.3390/nursrep13020071. PMID: 37368338; PMCID: PMC10301246.
