Therapeutic Response to Stressed and Anxious Clients Chapter 5 Therapeutic Response to Stressed and Anxious Clients

Objectives Describe the impact of stress on the body Identify the four levels of anxiety Identify signs and symptoms of Eustress and distress for each age group Identify 3 therapeutic responses for both types of stress for each age group List a minimum of six ways to decrease stress

What is Stress? A nonspecific response to a stressor Eustress or Distress Bad versus positive influence, result Intensity and duration Cumulative effect

Stressors and Stress Stressors Internal perceptions or external events Causes autonomic nervous system to respond Differences among men, women, children; responses to stress, stressors Vital signs respond and change Physiological changes to adapt Hormonal changes for homeostasis

Four Stages of Stress Alarm Fight or Flight Exhaustion Sounds a warning such as pain. Respond with suggestions for coping, such as breathing; distract and engage the client. Fight or Flight Sympathetic nervous system; pupils dilate, dry mouth, increase in heart rate and respirations. Do not take anger personally. Sympathize as client may not have a solution or coping mechanisms Exhaustion After fight or flight, the body tires, fatigue arises. Do not give verbal instructions, allow the client to rest, write out any instructions/education Return to Normal Parasympathetic system establishes body normalization. In a calm soft voice, encourage the client to express their feelings, use eye contact & active listening to help them cope with stress

Therapeutic Responses to Stress Be honest with clients Offer educational materials Encourage emotional support Be a teacher of medical information Refer to community resources

Types of Anxiety: Mild Increases perceptions Helps body to Think more clearly, more alert Make wise decisions, judgments Professional offers details, instructions, choices

Types of Anxiety: Moderate Decreased perception Focused on one challenge at a time Decisions, judgments made when faced with stressor at that time Still alert, able to think clearly Physiological changes Professionals focus on one detail, explain what is happening, speak calmly

Types of Anxiety: Severe Inability to focus, indecisive Inability to concentrate, make decisions Physiological changes Behavioral manifestations Professionals give instructions to family, follow up

Types of Anxiety: Panic Focused on escape Ineffective communication, incoherent speech Physiological, behavioral changes Professionals wait until client is safe to leave

Age Groups and Stress INFANTS TODDLERS Totally dependent on others Focused on eating, sleeping Sleep becomes coping mechanism Therapeutic response: Educate how to meet infant physical needs Seek community referrals Require consistency, praise If stressed as infant exhibits now Therapeutic response Modeling for parents Talk at toddler level Be honest about procedures, pain

Age Groups and Stress Cont’d SCHOOL AGE ADOLESCENTS Stressful transition home to school May regress to earlier behaviors Therapeutic response Prepare child well in advance Don’t compare siblings, other children Speak at their level Be honest Period of change; child yet adult Social demands, peer pressure Therapeutic response Provide for modesty Address how procedure affects activity or appearance

Age Groups and Stress Cont’d ADULTS ELDERLY Variety of stressors Empty nest/sandwich syndromes Therapeutic response Encourage friends, colleagues to share Answer questions, educational materials Encourage to talk about feelings Retirement, illness, death, loss versus gain Therapeutic response Use full name, title Encourage to talk about accomplishments Foster self-esteem, dignity, sense of worth

Ways to Reduce Stress How can or do clients reduce stress? (p.113) How do professionals help clients reduce their stress? (p. 115) This project was funded at $3,000,000 (100% of its total cost) from a grant awarded under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Rogue Community College is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services, alternate form and language services are available to individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency free of cost upon request.   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.