Emotional reactions of patient, family, and staff in acute-care period of spinal cord injury: part 1.
In the Spinal Cord Injury Center at New York University Hospital, designed for optimal application of acute-care methods to the newly spinal cord injured, social workers have had the opportunity to observe the various emotional reactions of patients, family members, and staff during the crisis period. Four different types, or stages, of reactions have been identified: shock, denial, anger, and depression. Description and analysis of these stages are presented here with implications for treatment, as well as their significance in the long-term rehabilitation period that usually follows. Part 1 of this paper presents introductory material and description of the patients' reactions. Part 2, in the succeeding issue, will present reactions of family and staff.
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000523:psychology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*