ABSTRACT
This part of the book deals with encounters and relationships which could be described as difficult both by health and social care professionals and by people who receive services. Times of extreme stress can challenge effective communication. The accounts in this part of the book explore these issues by using personal reflections. Examples include such experiences as breaking news of a terminal illness, looking after a dying child, dealing with a traumatic event such as rape or sectioning someone with mental illness. A variety of accounts from different perspectives highlight the impact that each form or manner of communication had on the person experiencing difficulty or trauma. Some of them show very clearly how poor communication can lead to poor or inadequate care.
