What is an appropriate short-term goal for a client exhibiting manic behaviors?

A short-term goal for a client exhibiting manic behaviors should focus on promoting calmness and reducing overstimulation. Painting alone for 15 minutes is a suitable and manageable goal, allowing the individual to engage in a creative activity that can be both soothing and self-regulating. This option encourages the client to experience a sense of accomplishment while providing a structured and limited time frame that can help prevent overwhelming feelings or distractions that might accompany longer or more social interactions.

Engaging with others in group therapy or painting with others could be too stimulating for someone in a manic state, as social interactions can increase energy levels and potentially exacerbate manic symptoms. Reading a book independently might also be too challenging due to potential difficulties with focus or impulsiveness that often accompany mania. Therefore, the choice to paint alone for a brief period aligns well with the aim of grounding the client and fostering a sense of calm in the context of their current mental state.