Aggression prevention and management strategies in mental health careâ??a way to enhance mental health worldwide

Aggression is one way individuals express anger. It is a behavior intended to threaten or injure the victim’s security or self- esteem. It means ‘to go against’; ‘to assault’ or ‘to attack’. It is a response which aims at inflicting pain or injury on objects or persons. People who enter the health care system are often in great distress and may exhibit maladaptive coping responses. Psychiatric nurses are at risk for violence as they work with patients who have inadequate coping mechanisms for dealing with stress. Nurses who work in settings such as emergency departments, critical care areas, and trauma centers often care for people who respond to events with angry and aggressive behavior that can pose a significant risk to themselves, other patients and health care providers. Psychiatric nurses also are at risk for violence as they work with patients who have inadequate coping mechanisms for dealing with stress.

Explicit training on effective and safe handling of aggressive behavior is important for frontline workers, such as nurses, nurse assistants and community health workers who have the most direct contact with people living with mental health disorders. Health professionals in primary care also see people with psychosis, dementia, drug and alcohol dependence and other conditions that can lead to aggression which can have a detrimental effect on their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being. Nursing staff members on psychiatric units are likely to be involved in preventing and managing aggressive behavior and are at risk for being victims of aggressive acts by patients. Thus, preventing and managing aggressive behavior are important skills for all nurses.

The nurse can implement a variety of interventions to prevent and manage aggressive behavior.

Author(s): Sonia

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