What technique is referred to when a nurse instructs clients to relieve anxiety by controlling the body with the mind?

What technique is referred to when a nurse instructs clients to relieve anxiety by controlling the body with the mind?

• A. Image visualization
• B. Autogenic training
• C. Guided imagery
• D. Progressive relaxation

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is autogenic training, which is a relaxation technique that involves teaching clients to use their mind to control bodily functions and reduce anxiety. This technique encourages individuals to focus on bodily sensations and create a state of deep relaxation through self-suggestion. Clients learn to recognize physical sensations of relaxation, such as warmth and heaviness in their limbs, and can then use these sensations to alleviate stress and anxiety. While image visualization and guided imagery also involve using the mind to influence feelings and perceptions, these techniques primarily focus on creating mental images of peace or calming scenarios to help reduce anxiety rather than the self-directed physical sensations emphasized in autogenic training. Progressive relaxation, on the other hand, focuses on systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to help reduce stress, rather than the aspect of mental control over bodily functions central to autogenic training.

The correct answer is autogenic training, which is a relaxation technique that involves teaching clients to use their mind to control bodily functions and reduce anxiety. This technique encourages individuals to focus on bodily sensations and create a state of deep relaxation through self-suggestion. Clients learn to recognize physical sensations of relaxation, such as warmth and heaviness in their limbs, and can then use these sensations to alleviate stress and anxiety.

While image visualization and guided imagery also involve using the mind to influence feelings and perceptions, these techniques primarily focus on creating mental images of peace or calming scenarios to help reduce anxiety rather than the self-directed physical sensations emphasized in autogenic training. Progressive relaxation, on the other hand, focuses on systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to help reduce stress, rather than the aspect of mental control over bodily functions central to autogenic training.