Dealing Effectively with Difficult Situations Flashcards
What is denial?
a defense mechanism: People aren’t ready to admit that a problem exists and begin remedying the situation
Why are people in denial?
because there is a new demand on resources
Anger (they’re angry)
They want to minimize the problem (minimization)
What has Dr. R often found in terms people finding out that their child has a problem for the first time?
I am the first one to tell a parent of the problem with the child
They get mad and don’t believe me, but the seed gets planted
When they hear it again and again, they finally believe it
How may family members of patients with a recent neurological insult react?
May refuse to believe that the patient will not return to exactly who she was before
Acceptance of the permanence of the disability—process that unfolds gradually
Describe Resistance
People fear change, are uncertain, or don’t want to take a deeper and more truthful look at themselves or the situation
“We have a problem, but we are a special case”
“I have a problem, but I will overcome it”
Lots of energy into proving professionals are wrong
Describe rejection
Very emphatic form of resistance
Client tells you to your face that you are wrong
Active, expressed unwillingness to agree with clinician
How should we react to someone showing rejection/resistance?
don’t get mad!!
openly acknowledge the situation
“I know you don’t agree with what I said. I totally respect your right to have a different opinion. We can agree to disagree.”
Describe grief
sorrow and depression–loss
death of a dream or expectation
it’s important to allow people to express grief openly
ON EXAM
What helps a lot in the grief process?
acknowledge reality of loss
Don’t try to reassure them that will all be better—don’t rush them through their feelings
Provide Perspective–time will help
What are the 7 stages of grief?
ON EXAM
- Shock and Denial
- Pain and Guilt
- Anger and bargaining
- Depression, loneliness
- upward turn
- Reconstruction and Working it through
- Acceptance
Describe Shock and denial
ON EXAM
Provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once
Describe Pain and Guilt
ON EXAM
Feelings of remorse over what you did or did not do
Describe anger and bargaining
ON EXAM
Why me? “I’ll do ___ if things can just be normal again.”
Describe Depression, Loneliness
ON EXAM
Reality hits—may want to be alone
Describe Upward Turn
ON EXAM
Adjust, life is calmer, more organized
