Body Image Case Study

Body image may be a complex phenomenon that emphasizes an individual’s mental perception and attitudes towards their appearance. Disturbances in one’s body image is a common outcome when undergoing extensive surgeries which result in an altered physical appearance. Patients with ostomy bags possibly face psychological distress as an outcome because of their altered appearance. Through my clinical experience, working with a colorectal cancer patient, I noticed the need of an ileostomy bag negative impacted the patient’s self-image. The focus of this paper analyzes body image dissatisfaction in patients with ostomy bags based within the context of my patient’s personal experience. In particular, it outlines how a permanent altered body image

M, 2013). Our physical and psychosocial components have a spillover effect on each other when it comes to our self-image. Experiencing a negative alteration in one’s appearance can often lead to feelings of anxiety, depression and much more which if untreated, it may progressively lead to psychological disturbances. Numerous studies have shown that patients with ileostomy bags reported feeling anxious, miserable and even different all because their physical identity was threatened by. Similarly, my patient had expressed that they felt bothered by their ileostomy bag, which led to them refusing to engage in their ostomy care. The ostomy bag was located at their ileum resulting in a high output of content that infrequently leaked. During these times, the patient projected their anxiety and insecurities for their ostomy bag towards the nurses, which showed that their emotions and self-doubt were gradually affecting their mentality. The patient had also

It is important for patient during their admission to develop a daily routine in their self-care as it creates a guideline for the routine they would follow post discharge. Rhoten, B discusses an attribute of body image disturbance which is a decline in an area of function. She states that an individual experiencing a dissatisfaction in their body image is more likely to encompass a decline in their physical and social functioning (Rhoten, B.A, 2016). On the other hand, my patient occasionally refused to attend occupational therapy and remained in bed for majority of the day. As a result of their limited mobility, the patient developed a stage I pressure ulcer on their coccyx. Preventative measures were implemented such as placing foam pad in the area and turning them frequently. However, the patient is at risk for an impaired skin integrity and their ulcer possibly becoming worse. Another problem from being bedridden is that because they were receiving a substantial amount of fluids from numerous IVs, the patient complained of having a disrupted sleep caused by the urgency to void at night. This could be due to the fact that the patient barely engaged in any physical activity during the day, which meant they had no further movements of peristalsis to promote voiding. It was recommended that the patient should take brisk walk around the unit with a nurse or schedule a voiding