Metaphor as a Pathway to Understanding in Mental Health Nursing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5538/2385-703X.2026.30.3Abstract
People experiencing mental suffering often rely on metaphors to verbalize complex and abstract experiences that would otherwise be difficult to express literally. Far from being mere ornaments of speech, these discursive resources truly reflect how patients experience and perceive their existence in the world. For this reason, mental health nursing professionals must adapt and develop active listening skills capable of interpreting these implicit meanings. Ultimately, recognizing, valuing, and interpreting the potential of metaphors allows clinicians to transcend surface-level discourse to achieve a deep and empathetic understanding of the patient's lived world.
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