Aphasia – an existential loneliness: A study on the loss of the world of symbols

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the existential consequences of aphasia and the struggle to regain the ability to communicate. Data were collected by means of interviews, published books and diaries from four women and five men, who varied in type of aphasia and time since cerebral lesion. Data were interpreted in accordance with a lifeworld hermeneutic approach. The findings led to six interpretations, which serve as a base for a comprehensive understanding and which indicate that the intentional, non-verbal act when something is recognized as something is not affected by aphasia. Aphasia affects the world of symbols, which is necessary for interaction with others. It is connected, therefore, with feelings of alienation, inferiority and shame in social settings. Losing one's ability to recognize symbols thus makes it essential to cope with existential loneliness. The outcome, a sense of community or alienation, appears to depend on the quality of interpersonal relations. The results thus demonstrate that interaction and communication are important aspects of professional care giving.

Encountering existential loneliness among older people: perspectives of health care professionals

“…To connect to the older person requires empathy and the ability to enter into the other’s life world. Professionals need to support older people, especially those with impairments, to maintain a caring encounter and avert possible existential loneliness, as highlighted in a study by Nyström (2006) of people with aphasia who suffered existential loneliness when unable to express themselves. These people also felt frustration and anger in their struggle to communicate, and existential loneliness in the absence of professional support.…”

Patient-Nurse Anesthetist Interaction During Regional Anesthesia and Surgery Based on Video Recordings

“…1 According to Orlando, the definition of care giving is the interaction 23 between a nurse and a patient at a specific time and place. Until the patient's 24 need for help is understood, a sequence of interaction takes place between 25 nurse and patient.…”

O Word That I Lack! Silence, Speech, and Communicative Bodies in the Rehabilitation (and Redemption) of Stroke Patients with Expressive Aphasia

“…Despite the obvious importance of such special relationships between persons with aphasia and their conversation partners upon whom they rely to help facilitate their speech, they have not been studied or documented much in the medical literature (Turner & Whitworth, 2006;Nyström, 2006). However, rehabilitation teams present a range of relationships ripe for further investigation.…”

“…More alarming than simply having trouble "getting the words out," one stroke survivor described his own experience of expressive aphasia as "one of the most grotesque predicaments that can be conceived" (Wint, 1965;quoted in Hale, 2002, p. 93). Similarly, others have described extreme feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, insecurity, anger, and fear (Nyström, 2006). Stroke survivors with expressive aphasia are at high risk for social isolation as a result of the maddening silence aphasia imposes on them, which robs them of the sense of personal identity that comes with self-expression (Brumfitt, 1993).…”

“…For example, they might experience feelings of shock and fear (Nyström, 2006), and struggle with selfimage because of the newness of stroke-related bodily changes (Hinojosa et al, 2008), including aphasia. As Frank (1995) put it, "being a mute witness, caught within the chaos itself, is a condition of horror" (p. 109).…”