Tales from the Nuthouse: Lest You Think I have a Really Suck Job

wolf · 04-09-2005, 12:37 AM

They believe what they are going to believe, yes, but working to keep the patient grounded in reality is part of beginning treatment. You also can't get into a pissing match with somebody over their delusions. It's kind of like walking a tightrope that occasionally moves unexpectedly. I guess what I'm really trying to get across is to say that you don't play into someone's delusions ... don't pretend to understand or agree with the conspiracy or whatever it is, because that WILL backfire.

It's really a lot easier sticking to the truth too ... you don't have to keep track of the lies. I also won't lie about little things like "The doctor will be right in to see you" when "right in" could be any period of time between 15 seconds and three hours. Most of the patients understand and respect that.

Tonchi · 04-09-2005, 02:34 AM

Wolf, you bring back memories for me. When I lived in Tucson, my temp agency had me working as receptionist/secretary for Pima County agency which did job counseling for mental patients with substance abuse problems (The emphasis was on getting them away from the substance abuse so that the underlying mental problems would not prevent them from living independently). So all day long I took phone calls from these poor souls or their supervisors, directed them to counseling sessions, and tried to be reassuring and keep them calm in the lobby while waiting for various doctors or social workers to see them. After a month the program director offered me a permanent job, telling me that I seemed to have a way with these people and a good grip on the work at hand while still being empathetic and friendly with everybody. I needed the work desperately, but I declined and told her I would have to be leaving instead. I explained that I would have to work 9-10 hours there and go home to the exact same situation for the rest of the day and night and I just could not handle it. My husband had alcohol abuse problems, his brother had died of an overdose, his mother was under psychiatric care, my father-in-law was adicted to Codeine and in a wheelchair, living on welfare, and my husband couldn't hold a job. (Of course this whole crew liked to get all incensed about how unfairly they were being treated and call our house to take it out on me and the husband, that is when the husband was not also taking it out on me). She said she was disappointed but understood perfectly.

There is only so much any one person can handle, no matter how strong they try to be. You have my admiration, Wolf, you are amazing. Hang in there.

Trilby · 04-09-2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonchi

There is only so much any one person can handle, no matter how strong they try to be. You have my admiration, Wolf, you are amazing. Hang in there.

My sentiments exactly. I worked in psych for only three years and crashed and burned. xobruce tells me there is a complete spectrum of nursing and I have been working the wrong end (for my particular personality.) It's not that I mind doing social work, I just would rather do it among the rich!

Dealing with nuts all day caused a major melt down for me. I admire wolf's dedication and compassion. I just couldn't do it anymore.

Elspode · 04-09-2005, 11:34 AM

My wife used to do what Wolf does. She noted several instances of involuntary commitment by zealous parents of teenagers whose only psychological malfunction was being non-Christian. On many occasions, her pre-admission interview revealed intelligent, well-grounded kids, making good grades and characterized as being socially adept by their own parents. Their only "malfunction" was having the audacity to explore alternative spiritual paths, most particularly anything having to do with witchcraft.

Just one more area of the profound Christian bias in this country...and yet, increasingly, we are being told that Christian freedom of speech is being suppressed by activist judges...go figure.

04-09-2005, 12:37 AM	#1
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	They believe what they are going to believe, yes, but working to keep the patient grounded in reality is part of beginning treatment. You also can't get into a pissing match with somebody over their delusions. It's kind of like walking a tightrope that occasionally moves unexpectedly. I guess what I'm really trying to get across is to say that you don't play into someone's delusions ... don't pretend to understand or agree with the conspiracy or whatever it is, because that WILL backfire. It's really a lot easier sticking to the truth too ... you don't have to keep track of the lies. I also won't lie about little things like "The doctor will be right in to see you" when "right in" could be any period of time between 15 seconds and three hours. Most of the patients understand and respect that. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

04-09-2005, 02:34 AM	#2
Tonchi Victim of gravity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding in plain sight Posts: 1,412	Wolf, you bring back memories for me. When I lived in Tucson, my temp agency had me working as receptionist/secretary for Pima County agency which did job counseling for mental patients with substance abuse problems (The emphasis was on getting them away from the substance abuse so that the underlying mental problems would not prevent them from living independently). So all day long I took phone calls from these poor souls or their supervisors, directed them to counseling sessions, and tried to be reassuring and keep them calm in the lobby while waiting for various doctors or social workers to see them. After a month the program director offered me a permanent job, telling me that I seemed to have a way with these people and a good grip on the work at hand while still being empathetic and friendly with everybody. I needed the work desperately, but I declined and told her I would have to be leaving instead. I explained that I would have to work 9-10 hours there and go home to the exact same situation for the rest of the day and night and I just could not handle it. My husband had alcohol abuse problems, his brother had died of an overdose, his mother was under psychiatric care, my father-in-law was adicted to Codeine and in a wheelchair, living on welfare, and my husband couldn't hold a job. (Of course this whole crew liked to get all incensed about how unfairly they were being treated and call our house to take it out on me and the husband, that is when the husband was not also taking it out on me). She said she was disappointed but understood perfectly. There is only so much any one person can handle, no matter how strong they try to be. You have my admiration, Wolf, you are amazing. Hang in there. __________________ Everything you've ever heard about Fresno is true.

04-09-2005, 11:34 AM	#4
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	My wife used to do what Wolf does. She noted several instances of involuntary commitment by zealous parents of teenagers whose only psychological malfunction was being non-Christian. On many occasions, her pre-admission interview revealed intelligent, well-grounded kids, making good grades and characterized as being socially adept by their own parents. Their only "malfunction" was having the audacity to explore alternative spiritual paths, most particularly anything having to do with witchcraft. Just one more area of the profound Christian bias in this country...and yet, increasingly, we are being told that Christian freedom of speech is being suppressed by activist judges...go figure. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

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