Understanding Behavior in HD.final.8-18-05 - Huntington's Disease ...
Understanding Behavior in HD.final.8-18-05 - Huntington's Disease ...
Understanding Behavior in HD.final.8-18-05 - Huntington's Disease ...
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Approaches to Solv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>Behavior</strong> Problems <strong>in</strong> <strong>HD</strong><br />
GUIDELINES TO PROBLEM SOLVING<br />
Car<strong>in</strong>g for and treat<strong>in</strong>g people with <strong>HD</strong> can be both challeng<strong>in</strong>g and reward<strong>in</strong>g. At times, the lack of an<br />
apparent remedy can be frustrat<strong>in</strong>g. We all must be creative <strong>in</strong> our search for solutions. Careful attention to<br />
the chang<strong>in</strong>g symptoms, as well as good communication between family members, professionals and the<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual with <strong>HD</strong>, can contribute to the successful management of the disease. Listed below are some<br />
general guidel<strong>in</strong>es to consider when a problem occurs.<br />
STEP 1: Identify the ma<strong>in</strong> problem. Is the problem observable? Is it measurable? Can others see it? Avoid<br />
construct<strong>in</strong>g a long list of problems—you will only be overwhelmed and unable to address any one behavior<br />
adequately.<br />
STEP 2: Gather <strong>in</strong>formation about the problem and break the difficulty down <strong>in</strong>to discrete components. Ask<br />
yourself:<br />
• When does the problem occur?<br />
• Where does the problem occur?<br />
• What precedes the behavior?<br />
• Who was <strong>in</strong>volved?<br />
• What follows the behavior?<br />
• What emotion (fear, anger, frustration) was expressed?<br />
Open your m<strong>in</strong>d and develop new ways of see<strong>in</strong>g: with your eyes, your m<strong>in</strong>d and your heart. Remember,<br />
the problem is occurr<strong>in</strong>g because of changes <strong>in</strong> the bra<strong>in</strong> and the impact of <strong>HD</strong>. The patient with <strong>HD</strong> isn’t<br />
deliberately try<strong>in</strong>g to cause problems. Try to work out the problem with the person with <strong>HD</strong>. Together, you<br />
might be able to help solve it.