L17 - Responding Effectively to Difficult or Challenging Behavior

When a sick child/elderly person shows signs of difficult behavior, it is hard to pacify or cheer him/her up most of the time.

As a caregiver, it is best to stay calm and rational.

Difficult and challenging behaviors are defined as actions that detract the well-being of individuals due to physical or psychological distress.

Due to illness, injury, or disability, a patient’s behavior becomes difficult to handle.

•Difficult to please

•Sensitive

•Easily irritated

•May often complain

•Make unnecessary demands

Aggressive forms of challenging behaviors

• Hitting

• Screaming

• Kicking,

• Grabbing

• Nipping

• Scratching

• Biting

• Spitting

• Choking

• Hair pulling

• Throwing objects

Non-Aggressive forms of challenging behaviors

• Apathy

• Depression

• Repetitive noise

• Repetitive questions

• Making strange noise

• Constant request for help

• Eating/drinking excessively

• Over activity

A right caregiver has a relatively good knowledge of the behavior of his/her patient, very understanding and tolerant, should adapt and adjust, should accept and understand the fact that the patient has the same needs as those who are feeling well and healthy.

Allowing patients to decide for themselves boosts their morale for fast recovery.

The following should be practiced by the caregiver in dealing with any type of difficult behavior from the patient:

1. Always remain calm and balanced.

2. Be patient.

3. Focus on difficult behavior, not on the patient.

4. Ask the patient for request and politeness in a nice way.

5. Practice gentle assertiveness and stand up for oneself to avoid resentment, hurt, and angry feelings.

When a patient already has a difficult personality, he/she may become even more difficult to handle due to the injury or disability he/she is experiencing.

If the behavior cannot be controlled, the caregiver should seek medical attention. Only qualified medical experts will assess the reasons behind the patient’s difficult behavior.

When the caregiver cannot control the patient’s behavior, he/she should control himself, stay calm, and be patient.