Forms of Spiritual Distress

[Akita Suggagaki]

Nurses have recognized Spiritual Distress as a diagnosis. Here is what they have in mind. is there anything missing?


Spiritual distress

Disruption in the life principle that pervades a person's entire being and that integrates and transcends one's biological and psychosocial nature. This will affect coping ability.


Seven manifestations of spiritual distress

Spiritual pain,

1. as evidenced by expressions of discomfort of suffering relative to one's relationship with God,
2. Verbalization of feelings of having a void or lack of spiritual fulfillment,
3. and/or a lack of peace in terms of one's relationship to one's creator.
4. meaning of life/death and/or belief systems.
5. Questioning values, beliefs and how to live them out
6. questions the meaning of suffering;
7. questions meaning of own existence;

Spiritual alienation,

1. as evidenced by expressions of loneliness
2. or the feeling that God seems very far away and remote from one's everyday life,
3. verbalization that one has to depend upon one's self in times of trial or need,
4. and/or a negative attitude toward receiving any comfort or help from God.
5. concern about relationship with deity.
6. unable to participate in usual religious practices;

Spiritual anxiety ,

1. as evidenced by expression of fear of God's wrath and punishment;
2. fear that God might not take care of one, either immediately or in the future;
3. and/or worry that God is displeased with one's behavior.

Spiritual guilt,

1. as evidenced by expressions suggesting that one has failed to do the things which he should have done in life
2. and/or done things which were not pleasing to God;
3. articulation of concerns about the "kind" of life one has lived.
4. This may relate to self concept and self esteem

Spiritual anger,

1. as evidenced by expression of frustration or outrage at God for having allowed illness or other trials,
2. comments about the "unfairness" of God,
3. and/or negative remarks about institutionalized religion and/or its ministers or spiritual care givers.
4. anger toward religious representatives;

Spiritual loss,

1. as evidenced by expression of feelings of having temporarily lost or terminated the love of God,
2. fear that one's relationship with God has been threatened,
3. and/or a feeling of emptiness with regard to spiritual things.
4. Grief

Spiritual despair,

1. as evidenced by expressions suggesting that there is no hope of ever having a relationship with God
2. or of pleasing Him
3. and/or a feeling that God no longer can or does care for one.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

8. Disruption of practice/Impaired religiosity
Reports inability to do familiar routine practices
Reports inability to attend enjoyable events
States inability to participate in usual religious practices.

9. Decisional conflict
Expresses moral distress
Questions moral/ethical implications of therapeutic regimen.