A depressed patient tells the nurse,"The bad things that happen are always my fault." How should the nurse respond to assist the patient to reframe this overgeneralization?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By questioning a faulty assumption,the nurse can help the patient look at the premise more objectively and reframe it to a more accurate representation of fact.Casting doubt,while helpful,does not require the patient to evaluate or reframe the statement;refuting the patient's beliefs so directly could also reduce her comfort with the nurse.Noting that the patient is hard on herself reflects an accurate assessment but does not require the patient to evaluate or reframe the statement.Focusing on "good things" shifts the focus slightly and would probably elicit a "no" from the patient;it would be less likely to guide the patient to reconsider the negative distortions in her thinking.

A Depressed Patient Tells the Nurse,"The Bad Things That Happen