The Importance of Validation

By MaryAnn Fragola, DNP

Patients present with a multitude of complex issues, symptoms, side effects, etc. I have learned that sometimes these symptoms are not always treated with medication, even though it is ingrained in what we do. Sometimes we validate what they are feeling and allow them to work through it, to feel it, to normalize that it is ok to feel something, whether good or bad.

I used to struggle with not having a solution to some of the ailments that my patients presented. But over time, I realized that not everything has a specific treatment. We need to tailor our regimes to the unique needs of our patients.

One of the important elements of addressing patient symptoms is the validation that goes along with it. How reassuring it is to hear- you are validated in what you feel, you are allowed to feel how you do, and you are not judged based on what it is that you are feeling.

This impacts patients and gives them a sense of ownership and support.

What they are experiencing is real to them and unique to them; only they can attest to its severity. We often tell patients to stay positive, and we should always support hope and positivity, but sometimes this adds to their burden because they just want to feel what they feel at that time. Anger, sadness, distress, depression, fear, and anxiety are normal emotions that patients or families feel when patients face a cancer diagnosis.

Emotional validation is acknowledging and accepting a person’s inner experience, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as valid. A person who feels validated can better manage their emotions and cope. It provides a sense of “I hear you, I believe you.” Ignoring or not talking about these feelings can make patients feel alone, leading to difficulty coping and further isolation.

So, allow patients to express their mixed emotions, support them, validate them, and simply be there for them whether you agree or not. Demonstrating an understanding makes them feel heard and allows them to move forward.

The palliative team is trained to prescribe medications for many distressing symptoms, but sometimes validation is even more essential in the journey of the patient and their families. Along with the many wellness programs we offer, we can present patients with the support they need to migrate through their diagnosis.