PSYCHOEDUCATION

Sohema Tahir

What is Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation refers to the education offered to people who live with a psychological disturbance or any such condition. Frequently psychoeducational training involves patients as well as Family members. A goal is for the patient to understand and be better able to deal with the presented illness or condition. The patient's own strengths, resources and coping skills are reinforced, in order to avoid relapse and contribute to their own health and wellness on a long-term basis. The theory is that, with better knowledge the patient can better adjust and live with their condition.

Defining Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation could be explained as systematically used and structured forms of patient information, which are meant for informing the patient and/or the family members about the following things:

mental disorders characteristic symptoms and early signs of warning guidance for the introspection and appropriate perception of typical symptoms of the problem understanding of the disorder (what caused the problem?) how to act as a responsible person (what can I do?) Preventing relapses (protection from renewed occurrence)

Forms of Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation can be offered in different forms: lectures psychoeducative groups single consultation counseling (brochures, books, videos, other media)

Important elements of Psychoeducation

Transfer of information (symptomatology of the disturbance, causes, treatment concepts, etc.) Exchange of emotions(understanding to promote, exchange of experiences with others concerning, contacts, etc.) Available support (medical treatment, psychotherapeutic facilities)

Assistance to self help(e.g. training, as crisis situations are promptly recognized and what steps should be taken to be able to help the patient).

Topics of Psychoeducation for Flood Affectees

Health water borne illnesses Hygiene Prevention of Psychological problems

Psychoeducation around Psychological Problems

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Depression Grief Adjustment related problems

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Criterion A: Stressor Criterion B: Intrusive recollection Criterion C: Avoidant/Numbing Criterion D: Hyper-arousal Criterion E: Duration Criterion F: Functional significance

Acute

Chronic

If duration of symptoms is less than 3 months

If duration of symptoms is 3 months or more.

Specifiers

With Delayed Onset

Without Delayed Onset

Onset of symptoms at least 6 months after the stressor

Onset of symptoms is less than 6 months after the stressor

Specifiers

Depression

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical wellbeing.

Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless.

They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable.

Experience loss of appetite or overeating, or problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions; and may contemplate or attempt suicide.

Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may be present.

Normal Sadness/Depression

Clinical Depression

Learn to differentiate

Grief

Grief work is not a set of symptoms but rather a process of suffering that marks a transition from an old lifestyle to a new one, punctuated by numbness, denial, anger, depression, and eventually recovery.

Adjustment related problems

Changes in environment lead to stress and it takes time to adjust to new strange situation Anxiety Stress Depression associated with difficulties in adjustment Functioning in different domains might get affected

Phases of Recovery

Emergency or Outcry Phase

The survivor experiences heightened "fight or flight" reactions to the life-threatening event. This phase lasts as long as the survivor believes it to last. Pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and muscle activity are all increased. Concomitant feelings of fear and helplessness predominate. Termination of the event itself is followed by relief and confusion. Preoccupation centers around questions about why the event happened and the long-term consequences.

Emotional Numbing and Denial Phase

The survivor shelters psychic wellbeing by burying the traumatic experience in subconscious memory. By avoiding the experience, the victim temporarily reduces anxiety and stress responses.

Many survivors may remain at this stage unless they receive professional intervention.

Intrusive-Repetitive Phase

The survivor has nightmares, mood swings, intrusive images, and startle reactions. Overreliance on defense mechanisms (e.g., intellectualization, projection, or denial) or selfdefeating behaviors (e.g., abuse of alcohol or other drugs) may become part of coping behaviors in an effort to repress the traumatic event.

At this juncture, the delayed stress becomes so overwhelming that the survivor may either seek help or become so stuck in the pathology of the situation that professional intervention becomes necessary.

Reflective-Transition Phase

The survivor is able to put the traumatic event into perspective. He or she begins to interact positively and constructively with a future orientation and exhibits a willingness to put the traumatic event behind him or her.