Alice Greely is in the state of emotional and psychological distress. She is struggling with upsetting emotions of the death of her husband. Emotional and psychological distress shatters the sense of security, feeling helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous World (Figley, 2012). Emotional distress stems from the relentless stress such death of the husband after a struggle with cancer. For example, Alice Greely lost her husband two years after a long battle with cancer. In addition, she is feeling overwhelmed and lonely since her husband passed away.
There are emotional and physical symptoms of psychological distress. Emotional and psychological symptoms include disbelief, confusion, hopeless, fear, feeling disconnected and isolating from others (Figley, 2012). First, Alice Greely has been visiting the nurse who was caring for her husband a sign of confusion and hopeless. Secondly, Alice is feeling disconnected, and she has withdrawn from other family members. For example, she rarely goes to church and visits her family without her husband. Thirdly, Alice Greely never misses the six o’clock news as they used to watch together with her husband. Therefore, she is in the state of disbelief that her husband died.
Moreover, Alice Greely appears untidy in significant places such as a supermarket, a sign of feeling sad and confused. For example, she keeps on repeating how she has missed her husband. Further, these symptoms and feelings last from few days to years. In addition, the emotional feelings are triggered from time to time by painful memories. For example, Alice Greely recalls the situation how they used to watch six o’clock news together with her husband.
Appropriate nursing interventions
Nursing interventions such as counseling and psychosocial organizations are necessary for the management of emotional and psychological distress. First, it is important for the nurses to use active listening skills (Howlett, 2013). In essence, they are required to have a healing relationship as well as spend quality time with the patient. For example, finding time with the patient shows the process of caring. Further, psychologically distressed people feel frightened and disillusioned in the society. Therefore, caring communication is a critical intervention for management of emotional trauma.
Secondly, professional nurses should encourage the client to be active in meaningful social relationships and support personal characteristics. In essence, personal qualities and social support mediate the effects associated with emotional distress by reducing its impacts on the daily activities (Figley, 2012). For example, Alice Greely appeared disheveled in social places such as a supermarket. Consequently, psychosocial organization will make emotionally distressed feel loved and recognized. In addition, she has since stopped attending the church services, as well as family gathering. Therefore, being active in the social gatherings and supporting personal will decrease the impacts of emotional and psychological trauma.
Thirdly, the nurses should explore alternatives to increase the patient’s support system and participation in social groups and organizations. Further, satisfaction with support networks improves self-esteem, emotional health and loneliness (Howlett, 2013). Therefore, psychosocial group intervention especially on loneliness and social support can significantly lower emotional distress.
Finally, nurses should offer positive support when the patient seeks out others. For example, instrumental social support such as practical help, advice and feedback can significantly contribute to positive well-being. Therefore, positive reinforcement intervention is necessary to reduce the impact of emotional and psychological distress.
References
Figley, C. R. (2012). Encyclopedia of trauma: An interdisciplinary guide. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE.
Howlett, H. A. (2013). Success in practical/vocational nursing: From student to leader. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier.
Katz, B., & Thorpe, L. P. (2004). Understanding people in distress: Emotional and mental disorders, their cause, care, and cure. New York: Ronald.
Van K. (2009). Psychological trauma. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press
