ATTITUDES DEALING

WITH PSYCHIATRIC
PATIENTS

MODERATOR: DR.(MRS) AVINASH RANA

PRESENTOR: MS KAMALPREET KAUR
DEFINITION OF ATTITUDES
• An attitude is a learnt
predisposition to react
in a persistent and
characteristic manner to
some situation, idea,
material, object or
person.

• Attitudes involve the

individual’s perception
and evaluation of
situation and of people
in it. #
Components of attitude

COGNITIVE

AFFECTIVE

CONATIVE

#
 Attitude therapy
• Attitude therapy is a
form of milieu
therapy in which all
staff members
assume a consistent,
prescribed attitude
designed to be
therapeutic towards
patients.
#
 Types of attitudes used for
psychiatric patients
• K.A. Menninger has
worked on the concept
of prescribed attitude
therapy and has given
following kind of
attitudes while dealing
with the psychiatric
patients.

#
 1. Vigilant observation or
watchfulness
• The staff supervises
the patient carefully
without his knowledge.

• Used for: Patients with

 Suicidal ideas and
suicidal attempts
 Patient with ideas of
running away from the
hospital
#
 2. indulgence
• Staff members accept
or grant harmless
favours, allow a certain
amount of divergence
from his routine such
as delaying food or
activities.
• Used for: Patient in a
withdrawal state.
#
 3. Active friendliness
• Staff play an active role in the
therapeutic professional interpersonal
relationship.
• Used for:
 Patients who are in convalescent
schizophrenia
 Patients who are emerging from severe
depression.

#
 4. Passive friendliness
• The patient is allowed to take initiative in
therapeutic relationship. The nurse gives
the message that she is available to him.
For example, she sits with the patients
quietly and watches T.V. or reads a
magazine. If the patient takes initiative,
staff members follow quickly.

#
4. Passive friendliness contd….

• Used for: It is appropriate for patients

who are extremely withdrawn, confused,
frightened, paranoid schizophrenics,
suspicious elderly patients and patients
with organic brain syndromes.

#
 5. Matter of factness
• The nurse uses an
approach of casualness in
interaction specially in
requests, manipulative
behavior. Reassurances
and emotional response
are avoided.

• Used for: Hysterical

patients, Manic patients.

#
 6. Kind firmness
• Staff members put firm
limitations.

• Direct, clear and confident

rules are calmly imposed on
the patient.

• Directions are specific and

coincise with expectations
that the patients will follow
them.
#
 6. Kind firmness contd….
• Used for:

 Paranoid patients
 Manic patients
 Hysterical patients asking for
attention

#
 references
• Kapoor Bimla,”Textbook of Psychiatric
Nursing”,volume-II,1st edn,Kumar
publishers,Pp:107-109.
• Anthikad Jacob, "Psychology for Nurses”,1st edn,
jaypee publishers,Pp: 199.
• Morgan T. Clifford, King A. Richard, Weisz R.
John, Schopler John,” Introduction to
psychology”, 7th edn,Tata McGraw-Hill
publishers,Pp: 382-385.
• www.google.com

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