Gibb’s Reflective Cycle

Question: How did you feel and what did you think prior to the experience? how did you feel and what did you think during the experience? how did you react during the experience? how did you feel and what did you think after the experience? Answer: Description: While during my placement, I used to work in the psychiatric department. I remember one incident where I have to deal with the 70-year-old female patient who had depression. She was on certain anti-depressants for her depression, but she still appeared to be low-esteemed and sad. She appeared to be neglecting herself, and was not interested in anything. She had continuous crying spells. She had no one in her family to look after as she lost her husband and son in an accident. Feelings: As it was the initial phase of my training, I was having mixed feelings at that time and was bit a nervous, as well as, excited at the same time. Before dealing with the patient, I was confident enough that I will handle the case easily. However, when I actually handled the case, I found that it was slightly complex, as the patient was having continuous crying spell and was not interested in talking too much. During her assessment, I kept myself calm and though I was irritated at some points but I did not let my expressions to be visible on my face. After the incidence, I realized that the foremost requirement in dealing with the depressed patient is polite and patient attitude (Gibbs, Brigden and Hellenberg, 2005). Evaluation: The counseling part went well with the patient. She began to discuss things and issues that were bothering her. However, after some time I realized that she was unable to express herself fully, as she used to be silent in between the process. Even my calm and patient nature did not work well in making her completely comfortable to discuss things in detail at certain times. Hence, the experience ended when the practitioner came and tried to access the problem. Analysis: From this experience, I analyzed that building the trust in between the patient is very important. Though my patient and calm attitude made her comfortable to discuss things with me, but she did not trust me completely to discuss things at certain times. To deal with the depressive patient is a challenging task. I also analyzed that she completely discussed all the problems with the practitioner without any suspicion. The difference in the reaction was that the practitioner was able to build that trust in her by creating healthier and trustworthy relationship with her (Tan, 2013). Conclusion: After the counseling, I realized that to deal with a depressive patient there is a requirement of real listening skills and interpersonal skills. I also realized that things could be handled differently too. I would have persuaded the patient that to get the effective result and output she also needs to put input. Moreover, I realized that I actually had contributed very little in the whole process, except for the listening part. I understood that besides listening I need to develop the skill of active monitoring and lateral thinking for better analysis (Gibbs, 2016). Action Plan: From this experience, I learnt that I need to work on my interpersonal skills in dealing with the depressed patients who have little or no interest in the interaction process. I should start handling more and more cases of psychiatric patients to become more skillful and efficient in dealing with them. Moreover, I learned that building a trustworthy relationship between the patient is very important for the better assessment and evaluation of them (Franklin, 2002). References Franklin, S. (2002). A Reflective Essay: Getting Along is Highly Overrated.Policy, Politics, Nursing Practice, 3(2), pp.93-96. Gibbs, A. (2016). The Power of One: Why auto-ethnography, solo service-user voice and reflective case study analysis are useful strategies for researching family-centred social work practice.ANZSWJ, 25(4), p.15. Gibbs, T., Brigden, D. and Hellenberg, D. (2005). Encouraging reflective practice.South African Family Practice, 47(7), pp.5-7. Tan, C. (2013). Reflective thinking for intelligence analysis using a case study.Reflective Practice, 15(2), pp.218-231.