My warm and fuzzy for the night

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Specializes in Psych.

Working behavioral health, dealing with some very very sick people, I never know how much the small things I do are noticed by the patients. I am not looking for a thank you or anything like that. Just proof that what I am doing is working. Well between my shift last night and tonight I got that proof from a very unlikely source.

Mike ( not his real name, of course) came in very manic and very agitated. Swearing, threatening, irritaing the other patients, among other things. But the thing with him, he loves music. We have a piano available for patients to use. He sat down and began playing the base line of a song that I know the other section to. I was doing checks so I popped into the room and he stopped. I told him to continue playing and I joined in briefly and then we switched parts for a verse and then I had to continue on. The rest of the night, though he gave others problems, he didnt do anything outlandish to me.

Today much different person. Apologetic for his actions. Told me that he was sorry, he didnt remember me. I re-introduced myself and explained I was the one who played the piano with him the night before. He didnt remember me but he did remember the action. That to me proved that the small things are noticed, even if they dont notice who is doing them.

Specializes in Dialysis.

What a great story! Thank you for sharing.

Specializes in Emergency.

You ROCK! And yes. Sometimes we are so in need of validation that what we do makes a difference that we forget that so many of our patients are really unable, for whatever reason to thank us properly.

Specializes in retired LTC.
What a great story! Thank you for sharing.

ditto for your story. TY

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

When it comes to what we do, you would be surprised at how many things--both good and bad--that psychiatric patients notice...and remember. They may not always be able to put actions to a face or name, but they are more aware than many people think them to be.

Awesome story :)

Specializes in mental health.

Thank you for posting this experience. This is exactly what I needed to have validated!

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