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Psychology & Communication. Understanding Patient’s Needs. Psychology. The study of behavior and the functions and processes of the mind, especially as related to the social and physical environment. What does this definition mean? Psychological reactions: tense, apprehensive.
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Psychology & Communication Understanding Patient’s Needs
Psychology • The study of behavior and the functions and processes of the mind, especially as related to the social and physical environment. • What does this definition mean? • Psychological reactions: tense, apprehensive
Psychological needs • Factors that can influence a dental visit. • Current life situations • Stresses (work or home) • Past dental visits • Attitudes and belief’s of the patient’s (about themselves & dentistry)
Psychology Terms • Interpersonal Communications • Sharing understanding from one person to another • Verbal Communication • Using words to convey intent • Non-verbal Communication • Use of body language ie: raised eyebrow, crossed arms
Psychology Terms • Subjective Fear • attitudes, concerns, feelings based on others experiences • Objective Fear • attitudes, concerns, feelings based on ones own actual experiences
Psychology Terms • Psychosis • Any major mental disorder interfering with insight • Inability to maintain adequate contact with reality
Personality disorders • Antisocial behavior • Patterns of behavior-repeated-that lack moral and ethical standards • Compulsive – interferes w/daily work • Behavior based on feelings of insecurity, doubt, excessive caution • Passive-Aggressive • Aggressive behavior disguised as passive • Procrastination, intentional inefficiency
Neurotic disorders • Mental disorder w/symptoms unusual to a persons normal personality for no physical reason • Anxiety • Anticipation of danger, uneasiness, apprehension – temporary response to stress
Neurotic disorders • Hysteria • Emotional disorder in which extreme excitability and anxiety – caused by conflict – changed into physical symptoms, ex.- rise in body temp, paralysis resulting from psychological causes rather than from a physical injury
Neurotic disorders • Phobia • Abnormal intense fear or dread of situations or objects • Public speaking • Public restrooms • Elevators • Heights
Dental Phobic's • Patients who avoid Tx unless in extreme pain • 3 basic techniques to help patients • Progressive Muscle Relaxation – slowly tensing and relaxing all major muscles • Guided Imagery – Imagining a happy place, distracted • Systemic Desensitization – gradually exposed to dental Tx – short visits, small amount of Tx
Patient Coping Mechanisms • Repression • Unconscious forgetting, ignore and it will go away • Rationalization • Making excuses or reasons for missing appts. the “why I didn’t” syndrome • Procrastination • Avoiding, postponing, not facing problem – “put off until tomorrow whatever you can get out of doing today”
How to HElp • Deployment • Turning attention elsewhere - headphones, TV, Relaxing techniques • Affiliation • Find something in common w/patient to help them feel comfortable • Rehearsal • Mentally going through the procedure