Psychological assistance in emotional crisis
Although it is momentary and of a temporary nature, the emotional crisis usually leaves sequels in its path , after which it is necessary to implement an action plan that can combat the discomfort caused by the traumatic event.
Therefore, it is important to know the the main elements of a psychological assistance program to be able to deal with emotional crises. Specifically, it becomes a priority to identify the characteristics and objectives that effective assistance must possess, the different assistance models as well as the intervention levels in crisis.
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Characteristics and objectives of psychological intervention
It is necessary to know that any action that is focused on the treatment of some emotional crisis must meet three fundamental conditions: perform "in situ", be immediate and create confidence in the patient:
Intervention "in situ"
The emotional crisis must be treated where it has occurred. Only in very special cases will the detention be justified , but it should always be carried out in a hospital close to the relatives of the affected person.
Immediateness
Every crisis must be addressed at the time it occurs. During the emotional crisis the affected person manifests a great need for help and is more likely to receive all attention to achieve a change. Any crisis that is allowed to mature makes the intervention process difficult, hindering the search for a positive solution. It is necessary to mention that a problem can not be tackled with three months of delay in relation to the moment in which it occurred.
Create trust
The patient must be clear from the beginning that the objective of the intervention is none other than Improve your quality of life .
- Related article: "Emotional crisis: why does it happen and what are its symptoms?"
The objectives in the action before the emotional crisis
If the intervention for crisis treatment meets the above criteria, the chances of success go up a lot. It is time to indicate the objectives that are pursued when implementing the action plan; The most significant are these:
- Prevent the crisis episode from becoming chronic and, consequently, prevent the requisition of more expensive treatments in addition to traumatizing.
- Restore emotional balance . It is intended to achieve, at least, the level of mental health prior to the emotional crisis. It is necessary to emphasize that what was not had (emotional balance) could not be lost, and consequently, it can not be recovered.
- Immediate relief of the anguish experienced through the verbalization of irrational feelings or attitudes of the patient. In this way, it is possible to neutralize the anguish generated and enable the change.
- Orient the socially disadvantaged subject about possible social resources and institutional to which you can turn if you are in a state of abandonment.
Welfare models for intervention in crisis
The human being is a bio-psycho-social entity, so their needs are inclined towards one of those areas and, therefore, the crisis originated may have its epicenter around the biological, psychological or social dimension . Therefore, it will always be necessary to define which area of the patient needs attention.
For example: in an attempt to commit suicide due to drug intoxication, first of all it will be necessary to know the biological or somatic repercussion of the event presented (need or not of gastric lavage, etc.), later an analysis will be made about the elements and / or Psychological schemes of the individual (emotions, motivations, etc.) and finally take into account the work or family influence that suicidal behavior can have.
Thus, the emotional crisis can be treated from different perspectives or models , which can be summarized in a triple approach: intervention directed to the conflict, to the person as a whole or to the system.
1. Conflict-oriented model
Suggests that the assistance provided must be immediate and fundamentally directed at the conflict itself; through this approach references to unconscious elements will be avoided , taking into account only the "here and now" as well as the possible ways of solving the "current problem" that has caused the crisis: intoxication by drugs in an attempt of suicide, abandonment of the home, sentimental break, etc.
2. Model oriented to the person
In the intervention, the most cognitive aspects of the affected person will be a priority: motivations, emotional repercussion of the event, links with the event, etc.In that crisis that has a predominance in the biological dimension, psychological and social impact that all somatic illness entails will not be left aside.
3. System-oriented model (family or couple)
Therefore, the family (or couple) is considered as a unit of health and disease at the same time and, therefore, is a fundamental element for the treatment of the affected.
- Related article "Family therapy: types and forms of application"
Levels of psychological intervention
Regardless of the intervention model that is being used with the patient (either focused on the conflict, the totality of the individual or the system) and the area (biological, psychological or social) in which it is acting, it is possible to distinguish three levels of different help for the emotional crisis:
First level of help
It is practically the first moment of the intervention; corresponds to the "impact phase" of the crisis. Depending on the content and cause of the problem, the psychological, social or biological aspect will be a priority.
This level It is also called "first psychological help" or "emergency help" ; it is characterized as a brief intervention (from a few minutes to a few hours); The main objective is containment and also to provide support, reduce mortality (avoid suicide) and link the person in crisis with the possible external aid resources available.
The first level intervention can be carried out anywhere (patient's home, health center, shelter, street, hospital, etc.) and by any help agent (parents, teachers, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) .).
This first level of help can be carried out from pharmacology (through anxiolytics or antipsychotics) or through active listening, without forgetting the possibility of the patient spending a night or a 24-hour hospitalization.
- Related article: What are Psychological First Aid?
Second level of help
This stage starts when emergency assistance ends (first level of help). This intervention is not only limited to restoring the balance lost because of the impact of the traumatic event ; At this level, priority is given to exploiting the vulnerability of the emotional structures of the subject, especially those that accompany the crisis, to help establish an emotional balance while creating other more functional psychological structures.
The duration of this intervention is several weeks (10-12 weeks approx.) And performed by specialists.
Third level of help
In general, the two previous levels of help are sufficient to get the individual, by starting up their own resources (psychological, social, etc.), to achieve a psychological improvement. However, sometimes, a long-term treatment may be necessary (psychotherapy in conjunction with pharmacological treatment) to reinforce the achievements made and prevent possible relapses.
