mental health- symptom management Flashcards
symptoms
- not the disease
- behavioural evidence
- behaviour might be more useful than the diagnoses in relation to treatment
treating based on symptom
activities to treat the symptom should be appropriate for the interests of the client, the occupational role, and the client’s level of functioning
3 OTA response variables to the needs of the client
self
environment
activity
3 anxious behaviours
ritualistic
fearful
demanding
how to deal with anxious behaviours
ritualistic- accept their little rituals
fearful- ask them to talk about their fears
demanding-give specific times available and locations
depression,,,, treatment
-don’t try to cheer them up as this reduces the importance of the person’s feelings
-report behaviour such as giving away personal items
Environment: safe and subdued; provide opportunities to work 1:1; increase the amount of stimulation as tolerated and the number of people in a group for example. Activities: 1st – simple, short-term, familiar, high success rate;
Simple task – making a phone call, brushing hair – solitary activities without the need to share tools etc. ——Gross motor activities help to release tension, increase 02 intake and increase blood flow to the brain.
-In an OT program beware that a suicidal person may remove objects to use in in a suicide attempt. OTA’s need to be alert to ways tools and supplies can be used in a suicide attempt.
risk of suicide
family history past attempt unemployment poor health substance abuse recent life changes
mania, what the crap is it?!
Recognizing mania – hyperactivity, agitated, rapid speech, flight of ideas, difficulty concentrating, lacking in judgement, they may dress outrageously ( may wear several belts, hats at the same time); excessive makeup; lots of energy, they like to flatter others and give gifts ( be mindful of this). Other antics – try to split up staff and create a tempest in a teapot, sometimes like to ask for a priviledge and build it up so that the request is beyond expectations. What purpose do these tactics serve? Manipulation and control…why? Leads caregivers to assist client and therefore they don’t have to take responsibility for themselves.
mania… OTA response
TUS = These clients can demand constant attention, praise, and approval from staff. However their attention seeking behaviour and their bizarre self-centredness, causes others to avoid them. Be cautious about giving praise or approval. Avoid criticizing as they are very vulnerable and feel easily rejected. Be calm, matter of fact, firm and consistent. Setting and enforcing limits is important and usually needed. Environment = eliminate or reduce distractions, only introduce new items when the client is ready for them in their project etc. Have the person work alone, facing a blank wall. Activities = Due to high energy levels have the opportunities for the client to get up and move around. Short-term activities provide immediate gratification are helpful for someone with poor frustration tolerance and inability to wait for results. Activities can be portable, structured and have 3 or fewer steps. Activities that are unfocused, creative or require directions should be avoided. Activities that require fine manipulation or attention to detail will be challenging. Materials should be controllable, not floppy or unpredictable – leather, wood vs clay. How would you develop longer attention span over time?
mania… more on response
self- don’t praise or criticize… rather be straight forward, matter of fact, calm, consistent, firm
environment- reduce distractions, work alone
activities- short term activities, provide opportunities for client to move around, few steps…
avoid these activities: unfocused, creative, with directions, with fine manipulation and attention to detail
hallucination
Definition: A sensory experience that has no basis in external reality. A hallucinating person sees, hears, feels,
smells or tastes things that are not there.
hallucinations.. how to respond
self- reassure the client, tell them you believe what they are experiencing, be comforting and calm, redirect client to a different topic
environment- reduce stimulation, but avoid isolation
activity- highly structured, engage with a few others, simple and structured activity, such as basic life skills
delusions
Delusions – is a false belief, not based on reality which is peculiar to the individual.
delusions.. what’s an ot to do?
self-don’t discuss delusions, redirect person’s attention
environment- stimulating, real life activities
activity- occupational role, reflect the person’s interests
paranoia
suspiciousness, unbelievable ideas, used as a defense against rejection
- make them feel like an intelluctual equal
- make them feel important and think about themselves
