- Nurse Jones chats to Trevor and Barbara and explains some strategies that they may find helpful (see Additional Information box below).
- She explains that it can be useful to have a chart by the bed on which Trevor and the staff can record when Trevor has an episode of crying and what he was doing at the time. This may allow Trevor and the staff to see what may be triggering these episodes and help him to anticipate and more effectively manage the situation. The chart also allows staff to monitor whether treatment is effective in reducing the frequency and/or severity of the outbursts.
- Trevor can also use a diary to record his feelings about these crying episodes and then reflect on these thoughts at a later time. It can also be useful for staff caring for Trevor to be able to review the diary, as this may allow them more insight into how Trevor is feeling. However if Trevor wishes that the diary remain private this must be respected. (Select “Diary” from Trevor’s treatment plan for further information regarding the diary).
- Nurse Jones also tells Trevor and Barbara that, although she understands that it will be difficult, the best thing to do would be to try not to make a fuss when this crying occurred and if Barbara could just gently acknowledge Trevor’s emotions this would help Trevor cope with it.
- Trevor decides to use the bedside chart and diary and he is happy for the staff involved in his care to review both. He is also happy for Barbara to see the bedside chart and diary as well.
Enter into the emotions with the patient, hugging, crying with them, and expressing that you know how they feel? False.
Ignore the patient until the outburst is finished, as you would a child having a tantrum? False.
Acknowledge to the patient, by facial expression and gentle appropriate touch, that you see their outburst but then carry on with the current activity or conversation, not commenting on the emotional lability? True.
Use distraction to shift the focus from what initiated the emotional lability e.g. switching off music and beginning a practical task or changing the conversation to a less emotive subject? True.
Deep breathing can help the patient distract themselves rather than being dependent on others to do the distracting? True.
Encourage the patient to adopt an opposite body posture e.g. sitting upright with shoulders back instead of a crying posture? True.
Provide support by telling the patient to pull themselves together and not to draw attention to themselves? False.
Encourage the patient to use mental imaging to focus their mind on concrete matters e.g. counting down backward while visualising the numbers? True.
Page last reviewed: 21 Feb 2020
