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| Hugh Laurie and John Seda in the tv series "House" (2004) |
One of the lessons that Frankie learns is "that "words could heal, at least be the beginning of healing"(429).
How true is that? What kind of words heal?
How important is it for healthcare workers to be trained in the ways that words can heal (and harm)?
How important is it for everyone to know this?
Is this belief dangerous in any way?
What words have helped heal Frankie?
Section 1 Sometimes people need some understanding, or someone to say, “What you're going through is valid.” Sometimes they need someone to say, “I'm here.” Healing is a long journey, but knowing there is someone there to support us is helpful.
ReplyDeleteSection 2 In healthcare, the workers should know that morale has an effect on how patients heal. Thus, how they speak to patients can impact how they heal, even in small ways. If a healthcare worker is ever disrespectful, or harsh, or says anything that a patient is offended by, they may also lose trust. This could mean that the patient won't be honest about something, and it could result in a lack of quality and effective care.
Section 3 I think it's important for everyone to know that their words hold power. That we should be kind. That we shouldn't lie.
Section 4 The danger of this is thinking that words are enough. That all you need in order to heal is some words, but it takes even more. It's an uphill battle. In addition, if you give too much power to other people's words, you can let them hurt you when you shouldn't.
Section 5 The words that helped heal Frankie were the ones that didn't deny her trauma. “Nothing you feel is wrong or abnormal.” (Pg 425) Hearing that Barb also struggled made her feel less alone. “You think because I don't say anything about ‘Nam that I don't think about it?” (Pg 429) “I still sometimes have nightmares…” (Pg 429)
It is true that words can heal in multiple senses of the phrase. The most obvious of these would be emotional healing. The power of a thoughtful apology can mend a bruised heart, and comforting words given to those who have just lost a loved one can bring a better outlook and mindset through their grieving. In this way, healthcare workers need to know how to emotionally support those who are losing or have lost a loved one, or are themselves soon to pass. I believe that death doula training should be required for those in high acuity fields, such as nurses or EMTs.
ReplyDeleteOf course, words can harm just as easily. Emotionally damaging someone via insult is a simple example, but we can take this deeper. Sound is a vibration, and this vibration travels through the air via propulsion from the lungs after being shaped by one’s vocal chords and mouth. To put it simply, this vibration then vibrates the eardrum before being passed through this and that and separation from other sounds etcetera, neurons activate, sending the signal from this vibration to the brain for deciphering. Depending on the words said and how, one can react without conscious control of their reaction. Just as a loud sound can make somebody flinch, words can have similar effects. Let’s say, for example, there is a trauma patient who has internal bleeding from a chest injury and has been given a medication to put them to sleep. Upon regaining consciousness, their eyes remain closed, but they start to be able to hear. The patient is still pretty out of it, not fully understanding what is going on, until they hear “We’re losing him!” which the patient comprehends. Their comprehension of this sends a signal to their adrenal glands to release epinephrine, as they are now in a panic. This will increase their heart rate, among other things, but in this hypothetical the interior bleeding is surrounding the heart as a cardiac tamponade, and the increase in heart rate from those three words is making the patient bleed more and worsening their state. In short, words can be comprehended to cause unconscious decisions to be made, such as hormone secretion or muscle twitches which in certain scenarios can be detrimental. In the hypothetical the guy survives because I said so. Wins the lottery the next day.
On another side of this is the power of belief. People often put their trust into professionals, such as doctors and nurses, believing what they say due to their position and the training needed to achieve said position. Belief can readily impact an individual mentally and physically. The belief that a loved one has gone to their religion’s heaven and is living their best death may be a great comfort and good crutch to lean on in the grieving process. Physically, belief driving different physiological factors has been long studied, titled the Placebo effect. In one study, participants were given a milkshake. Outside of the control group, some were given a high-calorie milkshake but told it was low-calorie, and some were given a low-calorie milkshake but told it was high-calorie. The scientists then monitored the participants’ ghrelin, a hormone affected by how full an individual feels. From this study it was found that participants' ghrelin levels more closely aligned to what they believed about the milkshake’s caloric content than the milkshake’s actual calorie count. Their beliefs influenced their hormonal response, indicating that the brain can regulate bodily functions through cognitive perception. If a trusted doctor relays the information that “this will only hurt a little” about something that will hurt quite a bit, will it hurt less than it otherwise would due to some sort of mental acrobatics, or would it hurt more due to the subverted expectation and surprise of the amount of pain?
How true is that? What kind of words heal?
ReplyDeleteI believe this to be very true. Hearing words from someone who has been in the same position as you can give you another view on your situation. In my opinion you should always talk about your struggles because you never know what words might give you clarity.
How important is it for healthcare workers to be trained in the ways that words can heal (and harm)?
Healthcare workers deal with many different types of people and knowing how to deal with whatever emotions you come across is very important, especially in the position of a healthcare worker. Most people who come across a healthcare worker are already scared for their wellbeing and hearing encouraging words from the person taking care of you can relieve some of that stress.
I believe Frankie being able to hear that her emotions and thoughts were a normal reaction to what she's been through would've helped her a lot. Sometimes people think their emotions are "too much" and they are overreacting, but in reality no one can speak for you emotions besides you.
Not forgetting but learning to move forward and express feelings is what helped her. Knowing that there were people there for her and that she was loved was essential. I think Healthcare workers should know to be empathetic and help the patient feel listened to and that they can get through troubles. There is a lot of emphasis on independence in our country to the point people sometimes forget how to lean on others. People should learn how to be gentle with others even if it's hard. It could be harmful in that sometimes people need to be left alone and that some things can never be truly healed. Some people might not be able to face pain head on.
ReplyDeleteHow true is that? What kind of words heal?
ReplyDeleteI do agree that words heal. Hearing someone lift you up while you've been knocked down many times is very reassuring. Knowing that someone is there for you and is also going through the same struggles you are is so comforting.
How important is it for healthcare workers to be trained in the ways that words can heal (and harm)?
Working in healthcare is important in many aspects but in my opinion having knowledge on what is wrong and right on what to say is the most important aspect. Whenever patients come into the hospital they are already in a vulnerable state and if a healthcare worker isn't comforting or showing compassion, it will make it worse on the patient. You should always be kind and listen to when someone is talking to you, you never know what someone is going through behind the scenes.
How important is it for everyone to know this?
I think it is extremely important. I think that world could be a better place if people understood how words can hurt someone or make their day better by kind words. Everyone should be able to have someone to talk to and feel better after talking to them.
Is this belief dangerous in any way?
I think it can be dangerous. When you put your trust in someone either it be a family member, friend or healthcare professional, sometimes it can end up being bad. When you put your trust in someone you trust that it will stay between you and that person but sometimes that's not the case and it could end up hurting you instead of benefiting you.