“Superimposed psychological suffering” is psychological pain added to suffering from disease and/or a handicap.
this post is based on Oguz Omay‘s work and previously described by Gokben Hızlı Sayar on March 23, 2019. Dr. Omay is a renowned psychiatrist and expert on interpersonal therapy who has revolutionized perinatal treatment and continues to work with adults, adolescents, and children to reduce psychological suffering. He continues to educate and supervise clinicians in French, Turkish, and English. I was fortunate enough to attend and learn from him at the International Society for Interpersonal Therapy conference a few years ago. If you would like to work with us, you may reach us at Behavioral Wellness. If you or someone you know is in distress, call 911, contact the nearest hospital, and/or contact Crisis Information immediately.
Oguz Omay – Gokben Hızlı Sayar
Interactions with health professionals may increase or reduce a patient’s psychological suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of patients. “Superimposed psychological suffering” is psychological pain added to suffering due to disease and/or a handicap. A specific awareness of healthcare professionals is necessary to avoid it. Interpersonal virtuosity, is present from birth and exists throughout life from “cradle to grave.”
Technical competence of professionals is necessary but not sufficient. Although vital, technical competence cannot produce the feeling of being understood intimately in the distressed patient without being accompanied by interpersonal virtuosity. The tone of voice, the precision of gaze, the openness and the fine-tuned emotional engagement of the health care professional permeate virtuosity felt through the unique interaction. The nature of interpersonal skill differs from technical skills in which providers are trained. The adjustments made by healthcare professionals to account for the needs of a patient or a caregiver.
To reduce or prevent the superimposed psychological suffering, the implicit choices of professionals or organizations are also important. For every professional or organization, it is vital to anticipate and identify the situations (practices, procedures, verbal or nonverbal communications, processes) that may raise the risk of superimposed psychological suffering.
Modern medicine must provide high-level technical care by total strangers to patients. The standardization of these interventions is necessary. Psychologically, if the care is provided generically, in a standardized fashion, without taking the specific psychological needs of the treated patient into account, it will probably be less effective. The quality and impact of interactions between patient, caregivers, and professionals reduce psychological suffering. However, interpersonal virtuosity may be stifled by the overvaluation of technical skills in care settings. On the other hand, professionals and the institutions can choose to give more space to the interpersonal virtuosity and support their professionals’ creativity in this direction.
If you would like to work with us, you may reach us at Behavioral Wellness. If you or someone you know is in distress, call 911, contact the nearest hospital, and/or contact Crisis Information immediately.