Sensitization of General Public for Emotional and Psycho-social Adjustment of PWDs By Professor Dr. Muhammad Mahmood Hussain Awan Dean Faculty of Education AL-KHAIR UNIVERSITY

 Sensitization of General Public  Emotional and Psycho-social Adjustment of PWDs  Characteristics of People who are Emotionally & Socially Healthy  Types of adjustment problems  Common emotional reactions to disability  Adjusting Strategies Contents

 To increase recognition and awareness of the role General Public & Carers play in providing daily care and support to people with disability. Sensitization of General Public

 Relates to emotional & psychological development in, and interaction with, a social environment.  Psycho: refers to the mind and soul of a person. This involves internal aspects such as feelings, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and values.  Social : refers to a person’s external relationships and environment. This includes interactions with others, social attitudes, and values (culture) and social influences of family, peers, school, and community.  Psychosocial support: addresses the ongoing emotional, social, and spiritual concerns and needs of people living with disability, their partners, and their caregivers. Emotional and Psycho-social Adjustment of PWDs

5 Characteristics of People who are Emotionally & Socially Healthy  A sense of satisfaction & pleasure for respecting norms.  A zest for living and the ability to laugh and have fun.  The ability to deal with stress and bounce back from adversity.  A sense of meaning and purpose, in both their activities and their relationships.  The flexibility to learn new things and adapt to change.  A balance between work and play, rest and activity, etc.  The ability to build and maintain fulfilling relationships.  Self-confidence and high self-esteem.

6 Types of adjustment problems  Physical – being unable to cope with functional aspects of disability, loss of control of basic physical functions, pain, health changes  Social – difficulty with losing activities that give sense of pleasure & identity & achievement, finding new ones & coping with changed relationships with family, friends & sexual partners, loneliness & isolation  Occupational – difficulty revising educational & career plans or finding new job  Emotional – high levels of denial, anxiety, grief, depression, aggression against staff  Motivational – failure to comply with therapist- & self-management, loss of initiative Self-concept – inability to accept changed body image, self-esteem, levels of competence Existential/spiritual – Without sense of meaning & purpose disability can be an unbearable burden. When usual sources threatened or diminished “Why go on?” questions arise

7 Common emotional reactions to disability  Confusion, denial & disbelief  Anxiety, fear of losing control  Panic  Inadequacy & humiliation  Anger & frustration, resentment  Sadness & crying  Guilt  Helplessness, hopelessness & despair  Disorganisation  Fatigue & lethargy  Loss of interests  Withdrawal  Loneliness, isolation & abandonment

8 Adjusting Strategies  The Person, well – handled, nurtured, and loved, develops trust and security and a basic optimism.  Give correct information about their disability, its prognosis & treatment. Can prevent or reduce significant anxiety, give direction & hope  Distancing – try to detach from stress  Positive focus – try to see the positives in their situation/find meaning e.g. personal growth  Seek out social support – have skills, access & receive encouragement to do so, connecting with family, friends, organisations can result in people living longer, adjusting more positively, improving health habits & use health services appropriately  Problem-solving focus on aspects of illness amenable to change.....but use emotion-focused coping techniques (e.g. calming strategies) for aspects that can’t be controlled  Use flexible coping strategies – “try to change the things I can & accept the things I can’t”

9 Adjusting Strategies  Open to ‘self-management’ view of illness that complements efforts of doctors, therapists, & carers  Determine appropriate setting of care  Involve family & friends where possible  Regular observation of the person is important  Active listening by staff  Encourage expression of feelings & active coping  Help with maintenance of health  Encourage person to talk  Social support  Psychiatric consultation if necessary  Ensure immediate safety

 Role Modeling  Dissemination of success stories  Arranging seminars, symposium, workshops  Promoting volunteer and Counseling services  Making part of content or curriculum/Public education  Religious & literary competitions  Recreational events and leisure time activities  Formation of positive image of PWDs  Promoting accessible physical environment  Creating a system of social support in the employment of people with disabilities  Improving coordination and trust.  Joint Ventures for employment  Advocacy through Media Strategies for Sensitizing of Public Participation

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