Domain 9. Coping-stress tolerance
Class 2. Coping responses
Diagnostic Code: 00137
Nanda label: Chronic sorrow
Diagnostic focus: Sorrow
Introduction to Nursing Diagnosis Chronic Sorrow
Nursing diagnoses are statements that guide the nurse on how to conduct assessments and plan the appropriate interventions. One of those nursing diagnoses is chronic sorrow, which can occur following a significant life event or illness, such as the death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a chronic disease, or a major life transition. This diagnosis is especially important because it focuses attention on the emotional consequences of an illness or situation. With this diagnosis, nurses are prepared to recognize and address any emotional distress, which will have a positive impact on patients’ overall health outcome.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
The NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) definition of chronic sorrow is “ongoing emotions over an extended period of time associated with a situation beyond the individual’s control in which one has losses of all kinds”. Chronic sorrow can take many forms, such as depression, withdrawal, and even guilt. It is important to note that this type of sorrow is generally outside the patient’s control, and cannot be changed or eliminated without significant intervention.
Defining Characteristics List
Subjectives
When diagnosing a patient, nurses will look for defining characteristics related to chronic sorrow. Subjective indicators, as stated by NANDA, include feelings of sadness, emptiness, guilt, anger, fear, helplessness, frustration, and despair.
Objectives
Objective indicators, as provided by NANDA, are observable behaviors that the patient exhibits, such as withdrawal from social activities, poor self-care, decreased or increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Related Factors
There are a few factors related to chronic sorrow that can contribute to a patient’s overall health and wellbeing. These factors include physical and/or mental limitations, social and/or economic stressors, and insufficient family resources. For example, if a patient recently suffered a stroke, his or her physical and mental limitations might cause them additional stress and sadness, leading to chronic sorrow.
At Risk Population
Certain populations are at an increased risk of developing chronic sorrow, including older adults and those in chronically painful medical circumstances. People who have suffered abuse and/or neglect, including those with chronic diseases or disabilities, are more likely to suffer from this diagnosis as well.
Associated Conditions
Associated conditions of chronic sorrow include major depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, physical conditions such as chronic pain, heart disease, and diabetes can result in this diagnosis.
Suggestions of Use
When treating a patient with chronic sorrow, it is best to assess his or her individual needs and provide interventions tailored specifically for their condition. Nurses should provide an empathetic and supportive environment that encourages the patient to talk about his or her feelings. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are two interventions that can help the patient address and manage his or her emotions surrounding the situation.
Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses
Nurses may also consider alternative nursing diagnoses when assessing a patient for chronic sorrow. These include:
- Ineffective Living Pattern
- Ineffective Health Maintenance
- Readiness for Enhanced Spirituality
- Risk for Self-Mutilation
- Risk for Injury
Each of these alternative diagnoses will help the nurse guide the patient towards a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle.
Usage Tips
It’s important to remember that each patient’s case of chronic sorrow is unique and requires individualized treatment. Nurses should listen carefully to the patient, their family, and any other significant individuals in their lives to help guide the treatment plan. Involvement of family members and other significant individuals can help increase the patient’s sense of self-worth and motivation for recovery.
NOC Outcomes
Nurses should use outcomes from the NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification) when assessing patients with chronic sorrow. These outcomes include:
- Self-Care: The patient is able to perform self-care activities at an appropriate level.
- Spiritual Support: The patient is able to obtain spiritual support.
- Emotional Behabiour: The patient is able to manage his or her emotions.
- Coping: The patient has adequate coping skills.
- Risk Detection: The patient is aware of risk factors associated with chronic sorrow.
Evaluation Objectives and Criteria
Nurses should evaluate patients to ensure that the treatment plan is effective. Evaluation objectives and criteria should be determined to assess progress, such as improvement in patient’s self-care, emotional behaviour, and risk detection. Nurses should also perform follow-up visits to ensure that the patient is still responding positively to the interventions.
NIC Interventions
The NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification) provides interventions for patients with chronic sorrow. Some of these interventions include:
- Mental Health Services: psychoeducation and cognitive behavioural therapy
- Counselling: support, problem-solving and stress management
- Caregiver Support: respite care and emotional support
- Hobbies/Activities: participate in recreational activities
- Spirituality: provide spiritual supports such as prayer, meditation, and faith-based activities
Nursing Activities
Nurses should provide various activities to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. These activities can include leisure activities, physical activities, relaxation techniques, and group or individual counselling sessions. The activities should be tailored to the individual’s needs, and should focus on helping the patient find balance and joy in life.
Conclusion
Nursing diagnosis chronic sorrow is a powerful tool that nurses can use to help patients address their emotional needs. By providing interventions tailored for the individual patient’s needs, nurses can help patients manage their emotions and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
FAQs
- What is Nursing Diagnosis Chronic Sorrow? Nursing Diagnosis Chronic Sorrow is an ongoing emotion experienced over an extended period of time, usually due to a situation beyond the individual’s control in which they have experienced losses of all kinds.
- How is it diagnosed? Chronic Sorrow is diagnosed by observing both subjective and objective indicators, such as feelings of sadness, emptiness, guilt, and withdrawal from social activities.
- Who is at risk? Older adults, those with chronically painful medical conditions, people who have suffered abuse and/or neglect, and those with chronic diseases or disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing chronic sorrow.
- What interventions should be used? Interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, mental health services, counselling, caregiver support, hobbies/activities, spirituality, and nursing activities can help the patient to manage his or her emotions surrounding the situation.
- What are the evaluation objectives and criteria? The evaluation objectives and criteria for nursing diagnosis chronic sorrow should include improvement in patient’s self-care, emotional behaviour, and risk detection.
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