People that can't share feelings

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I'm trying to figure out something I've come up on. I know some people are guarded (I am, for example), but what makes a person become suddenly mean and irrational when questioned about feelings? If they're locked away what causes the behavior even during calm, therapeutic "talking."

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Sometimes fear, of the unit environment and a testing of trust.

Sometimes what a patient is admitted for is just the tip of the

iceberg of issues that are simmering. Admitted for depression, but

a drug use hx is revealed,etc.

Allow the patient some space, instead of an assertive approach try

a conversational type approach. It's none of my business, but I have noticed

you became upset at group when patient x was talking about fill in the blank.

Sometimes when issues come up in group it triggers some feelings in group

members and they do not feel comfortable sharing in the group.

I would like to spend some time this morning with you so you can process

that discussion....

disclaimer=we used the Its none of my business approach only for

patients who had therapy issues not dangerous ideation.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Sometimes just being locked up in a psych unit--especially if it's involuntary--is enough of a reason for them to be irritable.

To that end, I will go with an emphatic approach ("yeah, it must suck when you lose all the little things we take for granted") as well as not pressuring them to answer or talk about anything other than my safety questions. It doesn't always work on the first go, but after a couple of encounters most patients start to thaw a bit.

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this is totally unhelpful to you......but....maybe because that person feels it is none of your dam- business??

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
this is totally unhelpful to you......but....maybe because that person feels it is none of your dam- business??

I get that with a lot of the TDOs, especially those who feel they're being held unjustly. Empathy and no pressure, as well as a "if you do need an ear, find me anytime" helps there too. Again, it doesn't always work miracles or even get a lot out of the patient, but overall gets better communication from the patient than hounding them constantly about "what's wrong?"

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this is totally unhelpful to you......but....maybe because that person feels it is none of your dam- business??

If the person is guarded,mean and irrational and thinking dangerous thoughts,

it is very much our business...that is why we need to discuss how they are feeling................................having a discussion helps us determine

if the patient is safe for himself and with others on the unit.

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If the person is guarded,mean and irrational and thinking dangerous thoughts,

it is very much our business...that is why we need to discuss how they are feeling................................having a discussion helps us determine

if the patient is safe for himself and with others on the unit.

Please, brush up on your reading skills....I VERY carefully said the person may feel that it is none of your business.

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Please, brush up on your reading skills....I VERY carefully said the person may feel that it is none of your business.

Please brush up on your respect ...

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Please brush up on your respect ...

Since there was no disrespect. I will have to presume that you were embarrassed to be caught at assuming

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Since there was no disrespect. I will have to presume that you were embarrassed to be caught at assuming

You are clueless about this specialty, so please respect the discussion. Escalating the thread is

not helpful to those seeking important information about this topic.

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You are clueless about this specialty, so please respect the discussion. Escalating the thread is

not helpful to those seeking important information about this topic.

Clueless? No, and i have been told by a psych NP that i had very good instints....so I will stand by my observations of your posts. I really thought my original post to this thread would be summarily ignored.

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this is totally unhelpful to you......but....maybe because that person feels it is none of your dam- business??

You're very right.

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