During my third year psychiatry clerkship, I had a bipolar patient who physically abused his wife. My classmate Maya had previously worked in domestic abuse situations and I decided to get her advice.
Me: “I’m not really sure how to approach this patient. He’s potentially violent.”
Maya: “Well, tell me more about him.”
Jake (class gunner): “The most important thing is to talk in a calm, quiet voice.”
Maya: “Excuse me, but what experience do you have with this?”
Jake: “I’ve done tons of hiking and I know all about how to approach dangerous animals like bears.”
Maya: “Bears?”
Jake: “I also trained people to deal with bears in the wilderness. I think a lot of the same principles apply.”
Maya: “People are not bears.”
Jake: “Actually, there are a lot of similarities.”
Maya: “You know what? You can talk to Fizzy because I know you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jake: “Also, don’t climb a tree.”
(OK, he didn’t actually say that last part.)
Bahahaha, I'm a pediatrics resident and I pretend all my patients are bear cubs and their parents are viciously protective mama bears. i.e. never get between a mama bear and its cub. Its worked well for me.
ReplyDeleteDo you try to puff yourself up like a monster and make loud, startling noises to scare off abusive partners?
ReplyDeleteDid you ask him if he has a rumbly in his tumbly then hand him a pot of honey?
ReplyDeleteI've been reading some of your stuff, and great Blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm an undergrad too, trying to make it. I just started my blog as well...any advice? Also where's a link so I can follow your updates?
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