The importance of self-awareness in psychiatric nursing

Abstract

In working with the mentally ill, it is important for the nurse to be aware of him/herself. The degree of therapeutic use he/she makes of self (which affects patients getting better or not) is based on his/her acknowledgement and understanding of own feelings and behaviour. The amount of self awareness, through own thoughts, feelings and actions, will eflect the congruity of how the nurse sees himself and how "the significant' others see him. It is not necessary to see himself as others see him, but is important to be aware of both perceptions. This is by no means an easy process, since the self cannot be spontaneously discovered or dramatically unmased (Stuart & Sewdeen, 1983). Self discovery is not necessarily a comfortable pursuit, since each person may discover facets of himself that he would rather disown (Jourard, 1971). Nevertheless time spent in the development of his self awareness, is a worthwhile investment since without his selfunderstanding, he can hardly be expected to understand the mentally ill.