FROM OPTIMISM TO PESSIMISM - A CASE-STUDY OF A PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENT

(.)This article focuses on the results of a single case stud! which il luminates an understanding of phases in nursing care for a patient in a psychiatric setting in Sweden. (.)The focus of this study is a 50-ye ar-old man who showed progressive deterioration from increased motor a ctivity to oral, sexual, destructive and aggressive actions. (.)Data c ollection using five methods occurred during a 21-month period, Result s of the content analysis processes identified four distinct but non-d iscrete phases of the patient's complex condition. (.)Medical and nurs ing care was categorized in three approaches: optimistic, strategic an d resigned. (.)The results raise the question of whether there is acti on that is without and meaning as an expression of the patient's wishe s, thoughts and feelings. (.)It seems clear that the patient in this s tudy felt really angry and in despair. Hoc-ever, during moments of luc idity he also indicated that he felt this was not an authentic express ion of his 'real' self. His experience was that of a splintered world.