Everyone encounters moments in life that can be challenging to manage. Many use adaptive or maladaptive coping mechanisms to handle the situation at hand. Although it is best when the person copes by using problem-solving techniques or an adaptive mechanism, using maladaptive ways is a concern. Moreover, this reflection depicts Mr. Ed 's story, a patient who has diabetes, on how he began to contemplate the changes needed in his lifestyle by experiencing motivational interviewing (MI). MI is the art of coaching a client to make changes using therapeutic communication (Dart, 2011). This paper will reveal the manner in which Mr. Ed moved from pre-contemplation to the contemplation stage of change to better control his recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Mr. Ed was clinically diagnosed with type 2 DM on Monday. He mentioned, “another reason for me to hate Mondays.” He was distressed and sad to know that he will now have to deliver the news to his family. Mr. Ed is fifty-nine years old, two hundred thirty-five pounds, and five foot eight inches tall. After the diagnosis, Mr. Ed did not demonstrate any awareness related to the significance of his situation, the only thing that worried him at the time was being more of a burden to his son. The situation is clearly a shock for Mr. Ed. At this point, he is in the pre-contemplation stage of change, because he exhibited a lack of recognition of the situation at hand as wells as a lack of desire to change, which characterizes this stage (Dart, 2011). Once noting the client 's lack of awareness of the situation, a new appointment is made for the following Friday, since he seemed not to like Mondays very much. The priority of the meeting is to explore the reason behind Mr. Ed 's new diagnosed illness and to assess the level of understanding the patient has related to type 2 DM. Also, having an understanding of what are the client 's expectations or goals for the near future is important. To assess these key points, the best method to use is MI. This method will increase patient self-awareness in an empathetic manner. That is, one will be able to see the patient 's internal perspective, to see the world through the client 's eyes without judgment (Miller, Rollnick, 2013). For these reasons, MI will be used on Friday in Mr. Ed 's meeting. On time and in a great spirit, as usual, Mr.
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Ed arrives at the meeting. The interview begins with an introduction and a purpose for the meeting. The purpose, as previously stated, was not only to understand Mr. Ed as a patient recently diagnosed with type 2 DM but also as a whole person. For this reason, Mr. Ed is asked questions phrased to enhance his openness: Mr. Ed what do you think are the reasons that contributed to the development of DM? As Mr. Ed begins to depict his situation, the writer listens to him attentively, without interrupting, with the purpose of evaluating Mr. Ed 's knowledge about the causes of the situation and his readiness to change (Shinitzky & Kub, 2001). Furthermore, Mr. Ed continues to speak about how difficult it is to not eat late at night, having access to healthy meals, and above all, the most difficult thing for him is not eating foods high in fats when under stress. Additionally, Mr. Ed has moved in with his son due to the loss of his job and difficulty finding a new one. Moreover, Mr. Ed explains that he cannot afford the medications that he believes he will need to control his DM. This opportunity provides room for explaining to the client that the first approach towards managing type 2 DM is to have a balanced diet and to increase physical activity. Mr. Ed expresses feelings of relief when he learns about this news. At this point, a trust relationship is in the making, and Mr. Ed appears comfortable disclosing information about his lifestyle (Dart, 2011). The client recalls that in his late twenties he managed to lose twenty-five pounds by running in the mornings, but then he just stopped. Furthermore, Mr. Ed is asked if running is something he enjoys, or if there are other reasons for taking action at that time? To this question, the client replies that he enjoys running, but can no longer run since he is heavier and older, but
Ed arrives at the meeting. The interview begins with an introduction and a purpose for the meeting. The purpose, as previously stated, was not only to understand Mr. Ed as a patient recently diagnosed with type 2 DM but also as a whole person. For this reason, Mr. Ed is asked questions phrased to enhance his openness: Mr. Ed what do you think are the reasons that contributed to the development of DM? As Mr. Ed begins to depict his situation, the writer listens to him attentively, without interrupting, with the purpose of evaluating Mr. Ed 's knowledge about the causes of the situation and his readiness to change (Shinitzky & Kub, 2001). Furthermore, Mr. Ed continues to speak about how difficult it is to not eat late at night, having access to healthy meals, and above all, the most difficult thing for him is not eating foods high in fats when under stress. Additionally, Mr. Ed has moved in with his son due to the loss of his job and difficulty finding a new one. Moreover, Mr. Ed explains that he cannot afford the medications that he believes he will need to control his DM. This opportunity provides room for explaining to the client that the first approach towards managing type 2 DM is to have a balanced diet and to increase physical activity. Mr. Ed expresses feelings of relief when he learns about this news. At this point, a trust relationship is in the making, and Mr. Ed appears comfortable disclosing information about his lifestyle (Dart, 2011). The client recalls that in his late twenties he managed to lose twenty-five pounds by running in the mornings, but then he just stopped. Furthermore, Mr. Ed is asked if running is something he enjoys, or if there are other reasons for taking action at that time? To this question, the client replies that he enjoys running, but can no longer run since he is heavier and older, but