At dying beds I\u2019ve experienced a lot of silence \u2013 which felt at times good, at times disturbing. Dying people will be almost always be in coma in their last hours (and, mostly, days). What hinders us from speaking with the dying?<\/p>\n
Sometimes it\u2019s extremely difficult to notice and interpret any nonverbal reactions of coma patients. In other cases we need to sharpen our senses. With no other body reactions left, often there are still reactions on our words, or on caressing, in the patients\u2019 changing his of breath style and rhythm (unless on a breathing machine).
\nIf we do find tiny nonverbal reactions or changes of the way of breathing, the questions are:<\/p>\n
I would like to summarize a few things that I have learned from the Encounters I had with dying people.
\n1. Treat dying people as living people. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 2. At a dying bed, get aware of what hinders you from acting and speaking free. Free yourself to get flexible.
\n3.\u00a0Observe which tiny reactions (movements, mimics, breath) the dying person shows repeatedly on certain key words, persons, behavior. Are they reacions of stress, relief or interest? Which are the triggers?
\n4.\u00a0Dying patients may be in coma, but they\u2019re usually not deaf. Choose your words well. No catastrophic medical descriptions or burial talk.
\n5.\u00a0Create rapport. Introduce yourself and tell your aim shortly. Use body contact, use your voice and breath pacing.
\n6.\u00a0See a coma patient as someone who is already in trance. Create rapport. Interventions can start right away, without induction
\n7.\u00a0The subconscious responds strongly to imagery. Speak in a dream language. Use metaphors, avoid abstract words.
\n8. Breath pacing and leading can regulate pain or breath problems (and can regulate breath down till it almost stops).
\n9.\u00a0Breath, blood pressure and heart rate can also be regulated by metaphors (f. e. of a flying eagle, a pulsating jellyfish or a manta ray).
\n10.\u00a0Speak about emotional content rather than about facts.
\n11.\u00a0Express in metaphors or more directly that it is possible and good to let go \u2013 of live, of psychological problems of body problems.
\n12.\u00a0Use metaphoric terms to speak about the good future.
\n13.\u00a0Introduce thoughts like \u201cYou can love them from the other side\u201d, \u201cthings will change, relations go on\u201d.
\n14.\u00a0Use negative terms only with a good reason. Except for pacing strong pain, don\u2019t mention \u201cpain\u201d but \u201cbody sensations\u201d. Teach this to the relatives.
\n15. People will rather die when they\u2019re ready to go. What may help: Rituals, a bye-bye from family members, messages of \u201cletting go\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At dying beds I\u2019ve experienced a lot of silence \u2013 which felt at times good, at times disturbing. Dying people will be almost always be in coma in their last hours (and, mostly, days). What hinders us from speaking with … Continue reading