For a burn survivor with disfigured hands, which intervention helps develop control over anxious feelings?

For a burn survivor with disfigured hands, which intervention helps develop control over anxious feelings?

• A. Remind the client that the scars are not as bad as she thinks.
• B. Teach the client not to look at her hands so much.
• C. Teach the client self-relaxation techniques to deal with anxiety.
• D. Insist that the client join a group for burn victims.

Answer: (C)

Managing anxious feelings in a burn survivor with disfigured hands is best addressed by teaching self-relaxation techniques, because they give a practical, portable tool to lower arousal and gain control during stress. Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, and guided imagery reduce physiological activation, break the cycle of worry, and build a sense of mastery that supports participation in therapy and daily activities despite body-image concerns. By practicing these skills, she learns to notice early signs of anxiety and apply a coping strategy instead of becoming overwhelmed. Other approaches—reminding her the scars aren’t as bad as they seem or encouraging avoidance of looking at her hands—don’t equip her to regulate arousal in the moment. While joining a support group can help with social support, it doesn’t directly teach the self-regulation technique that helps control anxious feelings.

Managing anxious feelings in a burn survivor with disfigured hands is best addressed by teaching self-relaxation techniques, because they give a practical, portable tool to lower arousal and gain control during stress. Techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, and guided imagery reduce physiological activation, break the cycle of worry, and build a sense of mastery that supports participation in therapy and daily activities despite body-image concerns. By practicing these skills, she learns to notice early signs of anxiety and apply a coping strategy instead of becoming overwhelmed. Other approaches—reminding her the scars aren’t as bad as they seem or encouraging avoidance of looking at her hands—don’t equip her to regulate arousal in the moment. While joining a support group can help with social support, it doesn’t directly teach the self-regulation technique that helps control anxious feelings.