Suffering Flashcards
Suffering vs. Pain
- Suffering is NOT the same as pain, but closely related to it
- When pain persists without meaning it becomes suffering
- Occurs when an individual feels voiceless
- Suffering is the Resistance to what is…
Total Pain- “key elements of total pain”
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Spiritual Suffering
- Emotional Distress
Predictors of suffering
- Regret for past events
- Current marital problems
- Little social support
- Pessimistic attitude
The Body and Suffering
- A body experiences pain, a body does NOT suffer
- A Person experiences pain AND suffers
- To acknowledge suffering, you need to acknowledge that a person is involved
Suffering as ______ (3 big ones)
- Intensely personal
- Loss of control
- Loss of relationship
Things commonly heard from people who are suffering
- What happens at the time of death
- What is it like to die?
- Do you think God is in this room right now?
- This is a hell of a life…
- What was the meaning of my life?
- Why is this happening?
- What did I do to deserve this?
- What do you think about euthanasia?
Things caregivers NEED to understand about suffering
- You can’t solve suffering with your mind
- You can’t solve suffering with your hands
- You can’t solve suffering with your heart
- You can’t solve suffering….
Common goals of care of with serious illness
- Control pain and other distressing symptoms
- Alleviate psychosocial problems
- Communicate Effectively
- Provide empathetic presence
- Foster realistic hope
Alleviating Psychosocial problems
- Utilize entire interdisciplinary team
- Loneliness financial concerns etc… that all contribute to suffering
- Solving these issues will help alleviate the patient’s sense of isolation
Fostering Hope
- Essential to quality of life
- Hope changes
- I hope for a cure- I hope people will be honest with me
- I hope my life has meaning
Strategies to cultivate hope
- Effectively control pain
- Develop caring relationships
- Set attainable goals involving patient in decisions
- Support spirituality
- Affirm patients worth
- Light-hearted humor when appropriate
- Reminisce
The importance of presence
- can have a healing power
- creates deep relationships
- Good way to help understand “meaning” or “purpose”
- All core aspects of suffering are approached JUST BY BEING ABLE TO DO THIS!
How to provide empathetic presence
- Atmosphere that encourages questions
- Reduces stress
- Body language
- Listen. Being heard can be the most effective treatment. DON’T DO SOMETHING- JUST SIT THERE!
- Presence and gentle reassuring touch
FICA model of Spiritual assessment
F- Faith and belief- Do you have spiritual beliefs that help you cope with stress?
I- Importance- What importance does your belief have in your life?
C- Community- Are you part of a religious or spiritual community?
A- How do your beliefs influence what we do in your care?
HOPE model of spiritual assessment
H- sources of hope, meaning, comfort, strength, peace, love and connection
O- Organized religion or community
P- Personal spirituality and practices
E- Effects on medical care and end-of-life issues
