Christmas Songs For The Psychiatrically Challenged

Patti 2nd gen RN · Dec 30, 2006

I'm not a student. I've got a Masters and Specialist degree in Mental Health with a speciality in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have worked with both the clients and their families, inpatient and out.
I just find it insensitive.

So--is ther any "black humor" that you do enjoy?--each speciality has some of these--OR, L&D, geriatric, etc--I have worked in several specialities, and making light of difficult things does not mean we are callous, it means we are coping. Some of the nurses at the desk right now that I shared this with are incredibly compassionate and patient---BECAUSE---we can let the negative reactions out in a humorous way when patients don't hear them. It's not to everyone's taste, like any other kind of humor or entertainment. But don't make assumptions about people becasue of thier humor--or what assumptions would you make about wrestling fans??? Be as flexible and compassionate with nurses that are different than you as you sre with your patients.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2006

So--is ther any "black humor" that you do enjoy?--each speciality has some of these--OR, L&D, geriatric, etc--I have worked in several specialities, and making light of difficult things does not mean we are callous, it means we are coping. Some of the nurses at the desk right now that I shared this with are incredibly compassionate and patient---BECAUSE---we can let the negative reactions out in a humorous way when patients don't hear them. It's not to everyone's taste, like any other kind of humor or entertainment. But don't make assumptions about people becasue of thier humor--or what assumptions would you make about wrestling fans??? Be as flexible and compassionate with nurses that are different than you as you sre with your patients.

If someone chooses not to use humor in their practice, it's their perogative and I shouldn't force them to see things my way.

I agree with you, and personally if I didn't laugh and joke at work I'd go crazy.

However, I need to respect that not everyone finds what I say funny and leave it at that. . I should humbly apologize and move on. "Lighten up" is something you would never here me say.

33-weeker · Jan 9, 2007

For years I would have laughed at these... until two of my children were diagnosed with Autism, and a third as bipolar. I guess it just hits too close to home to be funny to me now.

But I can be a good sport. Let them have their fun.

LydiaNN · Jan 9, 2007

For years I would have laughed at these... until two of my children were diagnosed with Autism, and a third as bipolar. I guess it just hits too close to home to be funny to me now.
But I can be a good sport. Let them have their fun.

I also have a son with Autism. The reference to him rocking is just a stereotype and has nothing to do with him, so that isn't why I don't find these songs funny. There is a difference between venting at people's behaviors that impact our lives in a negative way and laughing at people for sport. As far as I'm concerned, these songs cross the line. I don't make fun of people with physical disabilities, either.

33-weeker · Jan 9, 2007

I also have a son with Autism. The reference to him rocking is just a stereotype and has nothing to do with him, so that isn't why I don't find these songs funny. There is a difference between venting at people's behaviors that impact our lives in a negative way and laughing at people for sport. As far as I'm concerned, these songs cross the line. I don't make fun of people with physical disabilities, either.

You have a point.

Avelinne · Jan 9, 2007

Dear Nurses,

I am sitting here laughing my %^& off, practically peeing my pants. This is funny to me because I personally have 2 of these disorders. This list is hysterical. I work in behaviors units as well as with the LTC folks and feel that I am very compassionate. I am not laughing at them, I am laughing with them. Nursing is a HARD tough job, empathetic humor is HEALTHY.

SaderNurse05, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2007

Ummm....I have to say, I don't really see a whole lot of humor in this...these folks are ill and sometimes have a very poor quality of life because of it....it seems like you are making fun of them.
no, I am not "getting a kick" out of this.

Actually the first time I saw these was in nursing school. My psych professor passed them out. I have relatives in some of those categories, and some days I think I probably could be on the list as well. I thought it was hilarious! Would I go caroling them at a psych unit? Heck no.

anne74 · Jan 9, 2007

Thanks for sending - I think these are great, and I have a lot of mental health issues in my family, and I'm very sympathetic to psych patients. In fact, I think many psych patients would get a kick out of these, just as many other posters -who have these disorders - have enjoyed them. Humor is a wonderful coping mechanism for the serious situations we deal with in health care.

My favorite example is I had a woman who just had her leg amputed due to a vascular disease. She told me for Christmas she wanted to keep the leg, put fish net hose on it and a lamp shade - just like the famous leg lamp in the movie "A Christmas Story". We had the biggest chuckle out of that, and I thought she had a wonderful attitude toward such an emotional surgery. Examples like that make nursing worth it to me.