HealthPsych Session 5 Flashcards
Why do more elderly relatives tend to die in hospital now than they did historically?
Relatives at home feel unable to provide home care due to lack of support and advice as well as having concerns about pain management
What is the result of medicalisation of death?
Death is more unfamiliar so people tend to find it harder to accept
How have life expectancy and healthy life expectancy changed?
Life expectancy has increased but healthy life expectancy has not to the same extent so a significant proportion of life is in ill health
Describe the 3 main patterns of dying.
Gradual death: slow decrease in ability and health
Catastrophic death: through sudden and unexpected events
Premature death: in children/young adults through accident or illness
What are the stages in the 5-stage grief model?
Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Should a period of denial be allowed for people experiencing grief?
Yes, can be a helpful coping mechanism
Should pts be hurried out of the depression stage of the 5-stage grief model?
No, offer support instead
What is grief?
Set of psychological and physical reactions to bereavement which is a normal reaction to overwhelming loss where normal functioning no longer holds
What is the process of grief?
Disbelief and shock –> developing awareness –> resolution
What other event does dealing with grief have common elements with?
Terminal diagnosis
Are psychological interventions helpful in grief?
Only in high risk people
What factors lead to complication of the grief process?
Expression of grief discouraged
Ending of grief discouraged
What can result from an interrupted grief process?
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD
What type of stress is bereavement?
Severe form
What are the physical symptoms of bereavement?
SoB Palpitations Fatigue GI symptoms Decreased immune function
What are the behavioural symptoms of bereavement?
Insomnia
Irritability
Crying
Social withdrawal
What are the emotional symptoms of bereavement?
Depression Anxiety Anger Guilt Loneliness
What are the cognitive symptoms of bereavement?
Reduced concentration Memory loss Preoccupation Hopelessness Disturbance of identity Visual and auditory hallucinations
What are the outcomes of bereavement within 2 years?
85% have adjusted and are experiencing minimal grief
15% experiencing chronic grief (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
What are the risk factors for not adjusting to bereavement?
Prior bereavements Mental health Type of loss (young, traumatic, if person was caring for deceased) Lack of social support Additional stressors
What is palliative care?
A shift of focus away from medical management towards improving QoL by managing emotional and physical symptoms and supporting pts to live productively so they are in control and retain dignity
What are we less exposed to death as a population?
Death has become medicalised as the majority of people now die in hospital despite wanting to die at home
Describe type A psychological therapies.
Treatment gives as an integral part of mental health care by GP/district nurse using psychotherapy techniques
Describe type B psychological therapies.
Eclectic psychological therapy and counselling taking ideas from different branches of formal therapies