Bshs 445 - Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain

For Antonio, his crisis involves chronic back pain. Not only is Antonio faced with the crisis of his chronic back pain but he also is dealing with depression. These situations have been brought on by the mixture of pain medication, lack of agility, and lack of professional identity. Antonio has much proof to show that he has been a hard worker. Antonio had enlisted in the Navy right after high school. Antonio remained in the Navy for 6 years. After being discharged from the Navy, Antonio went on to work with his uncle in the masonry family business. Antonio’s injury came about when he was working on the job lifting a cinder block. This must have been very devastating for Antonio, considering the fact he had just worked up his way in the family business by becoming a foreman. Antonio’s injury ended up with him having 3 herniated lumbar discs. Antonio went on to receive physical therapy but this did not seem to make a difference. Antonio went on to finally get surgery. The surgery consisted him to receive metal plates screwed into his spine. With the plates screwed into his spine, this would be able to help manage the weight that the discs were no longer able to. After that surgery, Antonio has gone on to receive even more surgeries. Some of the other surgeries that Antonio has received include a spinal fusion and a titanium cage. Even though he has received several surgeries, relief only lasts so much. Antonio is now not able to do much as well as being out of work. The simplest of tasks have major effects on him; even driving can be very painful. Antonio sought crisis counseling because his pain management physician was able to see him slowly falling into a deep depression.

If we analyze the crisis components we can see the issues that are affecting Antonio. Firstly Antonio is beginning to feel helpless because of the lack of work and activity he is able to do. Secondly the pain that he is faced with is causing frustration to his character. Antonio has a lot of pride and that pride is now lost because he cannot work as he used to. Antonio is known for being a hard work so his character and personality seems to be affected as well. Meeting with the counselor seems to be the last step for Antonio since he is running out of hope. This also brings up signs whether or not Antonio would want to hurt himself. This creates an alarm for the counselor on whether or not he should be reported.

Dealing with someone who seems to not be themselves anymore and someone who is beginning to be hopeless, as a counselor, one should address these individuals in these situations with a lot of empathy. In Antonio’s case, the counselor begins with open ended questions to understand the severity of his depression. Some of the questions are “Could you tell me how depressed you have been feeling lately? How long have you been feeling this way?”. The counselor finds out just how long he had