Crazy loud dramtic crying -my ears are still vibrating

[tiroka03, LPN]

Usually I can get the criers to stop. I spend a little more time with them, once they know I am working, it's pretty much under control. Although there are the occasional ones who are so into this pattern they can't stop. But, when it's someone else's pt and the whoo hooing just gets louder and louder, I don't have time to step in and stop it. The self absorbed dramtic crying, not the I am really in pain crying, drives me crzy. Today, someone else's pt would cry on cue for 20mins at a time, and it was hard to concentrate. It's like a fly buzzing around your head, but you can't find the fly swatter. (Not that I would want to use one ) It's distracting and distressing. How do you handle these crying patients? Especially if they aren't your own?

[Anne36, LPN]

Self absorbed dramatic crying? Are you talking about little kids? I cant picture this situation.

[CaregiverGrace]

Have you spoken with their doctor about this? If, as you said, it is not a physical pain issue, then they may very well be depressed. There are, of course, drugs for depression.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Self absorbed is an appropriate developmental stage for children, lol. We are talking about children, right?

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I thought the OP was talking about the histrionic types... we've all had 'em. Yeah, there is a problem, but, often not one that can be solved so fast whether it be seeking of drugs/attention/control, you gotta just make due once you've assessed for pain/path for the duration of their stay if acute. Speaking to family to come and spend time with pt can help or be a total curse too. If you have a cordless phone, it helps to stand outside the room so MD returning call can hear...

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

OH! For a minute I thought the OP was talking about a staff meeting.

[OCNRN63, RN]

"When you can calm yourself, I will be glad to talk to you about what's bothering you." Exit stage left.

Histrionic personalities live for an audience. No one there to watch them, it gets pretty tiresome to keep carrying on.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Ativan =)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

OH! For a minute I thought the OP was talking about a staff meeting.

:rotfl:

[tiroka03, LPN]

Histronic personality, wow - I like this explaination - sure fits. Yes, it's mostly women who do this. Children, I can understand, or someone with a emotional disability. Funny, once it starts, all reason seems to go out of the window, ( I mean my reasoning). My dtr has aspbergers and I can usually spot someone with that. Just thinking of my dtr in a nursing home, makes me a whole lot more compassionate to people who are a little on the extreme side. Maybe this crying, histronic's is a outflow of some other disability, or grief, or inability to contain ones emtions. While it makes me want to be more understanding, it can backfire and get worse. I was tired when I wrote this post. But that's the beauty of this place. So, many people to bring you back into focus.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

Shut the door! ")

[Perpetual Student]

Attempts to reassure then Versed. Lots of Versed. Depending upon the family encouraging them to come to the bedside may be helpful.

I had one young female patient who was prone to dragging out the drama llama a while back who finally calmed down after I brought her family to the bedside. They told her things that I could not professionally say, like to "shut up and quit acting like a spoiled brat." That's not to say they were mean to the patient, but momma made it clear she wasn't going to tolerate acting out. I continued to medicate the patient aggressively for pain and I think the medicine helped a lot more because the family had broken the emotional escalation cycle.