PATIENCE FOR OCD PATIENTS

Arem Bolalin

“It is a joy of serving with a heart to people who need it the most.” Noreen Jee Nembra Pancrudo is a BS Nursing graduate at Central Philippines University in Iloilo. She is 34 years old and is currently working as a psychiatric nurse at Woodbridge Hospital – Institute of Mental Health in Singapore.

On my online interview with Ms.Pancrudo, I asked her to discuss some basic information about OCD. According to her, OCD is a mental disorder where people perform certain routines (called “rituals”), or have certain thoughts repeatedly. It is believed that OCD is likely to be the result of neurobiological, genetic, behavioral, cognitive, or environmental factors that trigger the disorder. Risk factors include history of child abuse or any other stress-inducing event.

“Everyday’s an adventure when you’re a psychiatric nurse.” Through the years, Ms.Pancrudo already handled numerous patients with mental problems. She encountered worse OCD case where the patient took an hour or more to shower, and wash hands every 15 minutes or even just when someone touches him. She also experienced an assault by a female bipolar patient. The patient pulled her hair and scratched her face. She felt helpless during this traumatic event but then, incidents like this cannot be avoided. “In a Psychiatric Ward, it’s really a challenge because you deal with people that you don’t know what’s going on in mind”, she added.

Ms. Pancrudo, having a lot of experience as a psychiatric nurse, already learned effective ways on how to handle OCD patients. First and foremost, let the patient be aware about his/her condition. It can empower and motivate him/her to stick to his/her treatment plan. Secondly, let the patient join a support group. Reaching out to others can provide him support and help cope with challenges. Next, let the patient stay focused on his/her goals. Keep recovery goals in mind and remember that recovery from OCD is an ongoing process. Also, let the patient find healthy outlets. Explore healthy ways to channel his/her energy, such as hobbies and recreational activities. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and get adequate sleep. Lastly, let the patient learn relaxation and stress management. Techniques such as meditation, visualization, muscle relaxation, massage, deep breathing, yoga and tai chi may help ease stress and anxiety.

“People really need to fully understand about the condition before they react on it”, Ms. Pancrudo said. Having OCD can be challenging to cope with. Patients may feel embarrassed or angry about having condition that requires long-term treatment. We, ordinary people, must have at least basic knowledge so that we may be able to offer some help in preventing OCD from worsening.

Let them do their “rituals” because the more you interfere, the more he/she becomes disturbed and agitated. Instead of directly telling a patient to stop his/her routines, you can just give activities to divert his/her mind and make him busy. If he’s pre-occupied, he’ll forget the things he repeatedly do.

Ms.Pancrudo says that being a psychiatric nurse is never easy. It is stressful and a lot of times, you’ll feel fed up. If that’s so, how is she managing it? Well, in my own opinion, to be a nurse is simply amazing, especially in a Psychiatric Ward where mental health is the primary issue of patients. They set aside their own mental baggage to entertain other people. “I don’t bring problems at work and I guess, somehow, it makes me an effective medical professional in managing patients who share their problems with me”, she said.

To be in a medical field, intelligence and skills are not enough; you must also have a heart. A heart that acres for the welfare of fellow human being. You must be always ready to offer an ear that does not only hear, but listens. Talk to them; feel with them, because sometimes that’s the only relief for patients that struggle mentally. If you ignore them, it’ll only trigger them to become restless and hostile. Patients need patience, but you must also be firm in decision-making.

“Being a nurse is a calling. They dispense comfort, compassion, and care without even a prescription. They are strong enough to tolerate everything and soft enough to understand everyone.” Ms.Noreen Pancrudo finds fulfillment in her chosen career because she has passion to provide care and serve the humanity. In today’s generation where people, especially youth, are prone to having mental issues and problems, we need more people like her. Just like what she said, again, “it’s a joy of serving with a heart to people who need it the most.”