NURSING TOOL BOX SERIES

  Behavior Modification Definition Behavior modification is a method of strengthening desired behavior or response through a positive or negative reinforcement of adaptive behavior or the reduction of a maladaptive behavior through extinction, punishment or therapy. For example you are an employee. You worked extra hours just to finish your tasks, arrives at work on time and sometimes you skip lunch just to complete the assigned job. A hard worker – that’s what you are! Now after a month of hard work your paycheck is delayed. Weeks and months passed and still the salary is not released. Would you perform the same effort towards your job now that you are still unpaid? You might still go to work with a change behavior or stop working. For working people, receiving a regular and on-time paycheck is a positive reinforcer that motivates the employees to do their job well. If this motivating factor is lacking, expect a less efficient job performance from the employees. Behaviorists believed

  Phobias Definition A phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive, irrational, and intense fear of a specific object an activity, or a physical situation. The fear, which is out of proportion to reality, usually results from early painful or unpleasant experiences involving a particular object or situation. A phobia may arise from displacing an unconscious conflict on an object that is symbolically related. Agoraphobia Types of Phobias Fear of being in places or situations from which escape may be difficult or help may not be readily available. Social Phobia Also called Social Anxiety Disorder Characterized by persistent fear of appearing shameful, stupid or inept in the presence of others. Specific Phobia Also called Simple Phobia A persistent fear of a specific object or situation, other than of two phobias mentioned above. Sub-categories: Injury-blood-injection Situational Natural environment Animals Other (fear of costumed character, space, etc) Risk Factors Learning

  Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Definition Electroconvulsive therapy or the shock treatment is used to treat depression in clients who do not respond to antidepressants or those patients who have intolerable adverse reactions at administered therapeutic doses. Despite the controversy about the therapy, it is proven to be effective for certain patients. Many depressed (major) clients, particularly those with psychotic symptoms, don’t respond to medications but do respond to ECT. Indications Nowadays, ECT is not only used for major depression, but also for the treatment of: mania (in bipolar disorder) catatonia quick relief for self-destructive behavior (suicide attempts) ECT may only be indicated for the treatment of severely depressed clients that needs fast relief. Suicidal clients may be given ECT. Giving antidepressant medication may take weeks before the full effects to occur. That is an enough time for a self-destructive client to harm himself. Can pregnant women undergo ECT? Pr

  Crisis Intervention Definition Crisis is a situation or period in an individual’s life that produces an overwhelming emotional response. This event occurs when an individual is confronted by a certain life circumstance or stressor that he or she cannot effectively manage by using his or her usual coping skills. Crisis is an unexpected event that can create uncertainty to an individual and has been viewed as a threat to a person’s important goals. Stages of Crisis The first stage of crisis occurs when the person is confronted by a stressor. Exposure to this stressor would result to anxiety. The individual then tries to handle things by using his or her customary coping skills. Second stage of crisis occurs when the person realizes that his usual coping ability is ineffective in dealing with anxiety. As the person becomes aware of his unsuccessful effort in dealing with the perceived stressor, he moves on to the next stage of crisis where the individual tries to deal with the crisis us

  Eating Disorders Overview Eating is very important in every human being. Not only that it is necessary for survival but it is also a social activity and has been part of many occasions all around the world. For some individuals, eating is one source of their worries, anxiety and problems. Many people are worried and apprehensive about how they look. Most of the time, they can feel self-conscious about their bodies. Amongst the population, the teens are the ones most concerned about their body figure. This can be true, especially that they are going through puberty and they undergo dramatic physical changes and face social pressures. Definition Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions that are described and typified by the abnormal eating habits that are involved. The food intake in this case are either insufficient or excessive that results to detriment of an individual’s physical and emotional health. List of Common Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa (AN).  AN is a life-threat

  Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying / Grief Precipitating Factors of Grief Death in family Separation Divorce Physical Illness Work failure disappointments 1. Denial Initial response to protect the self from anxiety. “No not me”, “Its not true”, “Its not impossible” May continue to make impractical/unrealistic plans May comment that a mistake has been made about the diagnosis of terminal illness May appear normal and can continued ADL as if nothing is wrong May not conform with the advised treatment regimen Adaptive response – crying, verbal denial Maladptive response – absence or reaction such as crying. 2. Anger Individual feel that they are victims of incompetence or a vengeful God (they did something wrong so they are being punished), fate (karma), circumstances (wrong place and wrong time). “Why me”, “What did I do to deserve this?” They seek for reasons, answers and explanations May express anger overtly – being irritable, impatient, critical verbally abusive. May express anger covertl

Gestalt Therapy Definition Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy, based on the experiential ideal of “here and now,” and relationships with others and the world. It is an existential or experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility. Gestalt therapy is used often to increase a client’s self-awareness by putting the past to rest and focus on the present. History Gestalt therapy was originally developed by Frederick “Fritz” Perls, Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman in the 1940s. Perls believed that self-awareness leads to self-acceptance and responsibility for one’s thoughts and feelings. Gestalt therapy rose from its beginnings in the middle of the 20th century to rapid and widespread popularity during the decade of the 1960s and early 1970s. During the 70s and 80s Gestalt therapy training centers spread globally, but they were, for the most part, not aligned with formal academic settings. Focus of the therapy The therapy focuses upon the individual’s experie