Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

• Erikson's theory is one of the most widely accepted frameworks for understanding the challenges and tasks people face throughout their lives.
• Successfully navigating these stages results in healthy personality development and a functioning ego.
• Society and culture have a significant impact on personality development.

Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy: 0-1 year)

• Primary goal: form attachments and gain trust in the primary caregiver.
• Establishes the tone for future emotional development.
• Infants learn to trust that their fundamental needs, such as food, comfort, and warmth, will be met.
• Successful completion of these tasks boosts self-confidence and optimism.
• Failure leads to mistrust, suspicion, and interpersonal relationship difficulties.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood: 1-3 years)

• Toddlers start to assert their independence and acquire autonomy.
• Key task: establish a sense of autonomy and self-control.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by enduring patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that hinder functioning or development.
• Usually commences during childhood and can endure into adulthood.
• Symptoms:
  • Challenges in maintaining attention.
  • Excessive restlessness or wriggling.
  • Impulsivity (acting without forethought).
  • Difficulties in task organization.
  • Forgetfulness.
  • Excessive verbal communication.
• Treatment:
  • Blend of pharmacological interventions (stimulants or non-stimulants).
  • Behavioral therapies (parent training, classroom accommodations, cognitive-behavioral strategies).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Psychiatric disorder activated by the experience or observation of a distressing event.
• Common symptoms:
  • Intrusive memories.
  • Nightmares.
  • Flashbacks.
  • Intense emotional distress.
  • Avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event.
  • Heightened arousal (e.g., exaggerated startle response).

Developmental Delay

• Key steps:
  • Figure out how patients communicate and how much they understand.
  • Address patients first and maintain calm.
  • Avoid showing impatience and speak at a consistent volume.
  • Advocate for patients and show respect and empathy.
  • Make accommodations to meet patients' needs.

Illness & Diseases

• Individuals with chronic or terminal illnesses are extremely stressed.
• Key approaches:
  • Greet patients warmly and respect their dignity.
  • Provide support and empathy while allowing the patient to set the tone of the conversation.
  • Listen carefully to the patient, maintain eye contact, and ask how you can assist.
  • Ensure access to necessary services, including hospice referrals, meal delivery, and home health assistance.

Defense Mechanisms

• Psychological tactics used to shield oneself from anxiety caused by unacceptable thoughts or emotions.
• Types:
  • Apathy: deliberately avoiding emotional or physical involvement with situations or people.
  • Compensation: offsetting a perceived deficiency by highlighting a favorable attribute or proficiency.
  • Conversion: emotional distress manifested as physical symptoms.
  • Denial: consciously rejecting the acknowledgment of facts or emotions that are excessively distressing.
  • Displacement: shifting emotions from their initial source to a target that is perceived as less intimidating.
  • Dissociation: intentionally separating oneself from thoughts, emotions, recollections, or personal sense of self.
  • Identification: imitating the characteristics or behaviors of another person to boost one's self-esteem or alleviate anxiety.
  • Intellectualization: reducing the impact of emotions by concentrating on the intellectual aspects of the situation.
  • Introjection: internalizing external objects or qualities as part of one's own identity.
  • Physical avoidance: deliberately staying away from situations or individuals that trigger feelings of anxiety or distress.
  • Projection: ascribing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to other people.

Psychosocial Development

• Successful outcome in middle adulthood: Generativity, characterized by feelings of productivity and accomplishment
• Unsuccessful outcome in middle adulthood: Stagnation, marked by self-absorption and lack of contribution to society
• Tools for medical assistants: Encourage community service, support career and family balance, and promote lifelong learning and personal growth

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

• Successful outcome in late adulthood: Ego Integrity, characterized by acceptance of one's life and finding meaning in it
• Unsuccessful outcome in late adulthood: Despair, marked by regret, unrealized potential, and a sense of hopelessness
• Tools for medical assistants: Provide opportunities for older adults to share their life stories, support volunteerism, and offer resources for coping with age-related changes and health issues

Importance of Mental Health

• Mental health is equally important as physical health in overall well-being
• Mental health encompasses cognitive functions, behaviors, and emotional state
• Traumatic events can lead to acute stress reactions and PTSD, characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and intrusive memories

Managing Stress

• Stress can originate from both positive and negative events
• Effective management of environmental stressors requires a comprehensive understanding of how perceptions and coping mechanisms impact stress responses
• Efficient methods to alleviate environmental stress include relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, and physical activities that foster stress relief
• Socioeconomic stressors primarily revolve around financial difficulties and instability, and can result in emotions of despair, unease, and despondency

Strategies for Medical Assistants

• Establish trust and rapport with patients experiencing stress
• Provide instruction on stress management strategies
• Utilize support services and facilitate connections between patients and professionals
• Champion patient rights and promote transparent communication
• Intervene and educate others on providing accommodations for patients with disabilities

Developmental Delay

• When working with patients with mental or emotional disabilities, determine how they communicate and understand
• Address the patient first, maintain calm, and avoid showing impatience
• Advocate for patients, show respect and empathy, and make accommodations to meet their needs

Illness and Diseases

• Individuals with chronic or terminal illnesses experience extreme stress
• Greet patients warmly and respect their dignity, providing support and empathy while allowing them to set the tone of the conversation
• Avoid saying you understand how the patient feels, instead listen carefully and maintain eye contact
• Ensure patients have access to necessary services, including hospice referrals, meal delivery, and home health assistance

Defense Mechanisms

• Introjection: Adoption of thoughts or feelings of others
• Physical Avoidance: Keeping away from people, places, or objects that evoke unpleasant memories
• Projection: Transference of unpleasant ideas and emotions onto someone or something else
• Rationalization: Explanation that makes something negative or unacceptable seem justifiable or acceptable
• Reaction Formation: Belief in and expression of the opposite of one's true feelings
• Regression: Reversion to an earlier, more childlike, developmental behavior
• Repression: Elimination of unpleasant emotions, desires, or problems from conscious mind
• Sarcasm: Use of words that have the opposite meaning, especially to be funny, insulting, or irritating
• Sublimation: Rechanneling unacceptable urges or drives into something constructive or socially acceptable

Depression

• Depression screenings help healthcare providers evaluate symptoms and decide on treatment options
• Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy) and medication (e.g., antidepressants)
• Lifestyle modifications, such as regular physical activity, sufficient rest, and a nutritious diet, can also yield beneficial outcomes
• In severe cases, hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs may be necessary

Anxiety

• Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and uncontrollable fear or worry that disrupts daily functioning
• Disorders can take different forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias
• Symptoms include enduring and excessive concern, unease, tiredness, trouble focusing, irritability, muscle strain, and disruptions in sleep patterns
• Panic attacks are prevalent in certain anxiety disorders
• Screening instruments, such as the GAD-7, are used to evaluate symptoms and inform treatment decisions
• Treatment typically involves psychotherapy (specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy) and may include medication and relaxation techniques

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by enduring patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that hinder functioning or development
• Symptoms include challenges in maintaining attention, excessive restlessness or fidgeting, impulsivity, difficulties in task organization, forgetfulness, and excessive verbal communication
• Screening entails thorough assessments conducted by healthcare professionals, which include evaluating symptoms, developmental background, and functional limitations
• Rating scales, such as the ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5), are frequently employed to aid in the diagnosis and planning of treatment
• Treatment typically involves a blend of pharmacological interventions and behavioral therapies

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• PTSD is a psychiatric disorder activated by the experience or observation of a distressing event
• Common symptoms include intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, intense emotional distress, avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event, and heightened arousal

Communications & Accommodations

• Effective communication reduces anxiety and empowers patients to make well-informed healthcare decisions
• Medical assistants can make a substantial impact on patient outcomes and overall well-being by proactively and compassionately addressing environmental and socioeconomic stressors
• Therapeutic communication principles, such as reflecting patients' statements and offering recognition for positive changes, can encourage open communication

Physical Disability

• The Americans with Disabilities Act requires medical offices and facilities to provide appropriate access for patients using wheelchairs or other assistive devices
• Medical assistants can help patients with disabilities feel at ease by organizing common areas and providing accommodating services

Defense Mechanisms

• Rationalization: constructing logical explanations or justifications to make feelings or behaviors appear more acceptable
• Reaction formation: exhibiting emotions or behaviors contrary to genuine feelings
• Regression: returning to behaviors or coping mechanisms typical of a previous stage of development
• Repression: involuntary exclusion of distressing or undesirable thoughts, memories, or emotions from conscious awareness
• Sarcasm: using humor to indirectly express aggression or hostility
• Sublimation: redirecting undesirable impulses or emotions towards socially acceptable activities