Mental Health Bias in Physical Care: An Integrative Review of the Literature.

Individuals with mental illness experience higher rates of early mortality than individuals without mental health disorders. Though multiple factors contribute to this disparity, misattribution of physical symptoms to pre-existing mental disorders can cause delayed diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and further stigmatization of individuals with mental illness. This research examines this phenomenon of misdiagnosis. By learning about these risks, nurses can better advocate for and provide effective patient care.