Core intervention: Reduction of complaints

with NiceDay Version 1.0 - February 2023

What is Complaint Reduction?

Complaint reduction focuses on reducing mental and physical complaints resulting from overload. The goal is to assess how much load a client can currently handle and what influences exist on both capacity and load itself. This helps prevent further overload and creates space for recovery.

When do you use Complaint Reduction?

Complaint reduction is used in cases of somatic issues such as tension-related complaints. It involves a primarily practical approach to assess complaints and subsequently reduce them through interventions or change strategies.

How do you implement Complaint Reduction using NiceDay?

In Complaint Reduction, the initial focus is on complaints logging and assessment before starting to apply strategies to reduce the complaints. It can be helpful to have your client begin logging their complaints during (or even prior to) the explanation of psycho-education.

Ask your client, depending on their capacity, to keep track of feelings of tension as much as possible, using intensity as a guide. In NiceDay, you can use the 'Stress', 'Energy', or any other relevant tracker for this purpose.
Ask your client to create a list of as many activities as possible that contribute to rest, relaxation, or distraction. Preferably, have them come up with dozens of activities. If your client struggles to experience relaxation, you can introduce relaxation exercises.
Take an inventory of how the following domains are structured in your client's life:

Occupation/Activities
Substance Use
Nutrition
Physical Fitness
Hobbies
Social Contacts
Sleep Hygiene

4. Discuss possible adjustments and make them concrete by agreeing on them. Be aware that you may encounter resistance when someone needs to undertake more activities or reduce their sleep.

5. Monitor the adjustments and review or expand them where necessary. You can use the complaints log, if available, to measure the impact of the adjustments.

6. Next, introduce the self-control program with the aim of learning to recognize potential overload. By identifying behavioural, physical, cognitive, and emotional signals, you can determine when potential overload occurs. Then, jointly devise measures that can be implemented upon recognition. These may include engaging in relaxing or distracting activities.

Sources

Keijsers, G. P. J., Van Minnen, A., Verbraak, M., Hoogduin, C. A. L. & Emmelkamp, P., (2017). Protocollaire behandelingen voor volwassenen met psychische klachten. Boom.