Exam 3 chronic illnesses pt 1

Initial Reactions to Diagnosis

Shock (feeling stunned, detached, automatic behaviors); emotion-focused coping (denial, fear, confusion); gradual acceptance with reality awareness and adjustment.

Use of Denial and Avoidance

Helps control emotional response but can become maladaptive by reducing information seeking and problem-focused coping.

Coping with Acute vs Chronic Conditions

Early coping is similar for both, but chronic illness requires permanent behavioral, social, and emotional changes.

Crisis Theory and Coping Factors

Coping influenced by illness-related factors, background and personal factors, and the physical and social environment.

Illness-Related Factors

Threat level (disabling, disfiguring, painful, life-threatening); body changes that cause embarrassment; painful or complex treatments with severe side effects.

Background and Personal Factors

Psychological resources (resilience, hardy personality); demographic differences (age, gender, class, beliefs, self-esteem); timing in life (childhood vs adulthood); higher self-blame → poorer coping and depression.

Physical and Social Environment

Physical context (hospital vs home); social support from family, friends, neighbors; support groups aid coping.

Adaptive Tasks – Illness Management

Managing symptoms and disability, adjusting to medical procedures, building a good physician–patient relationship.

Adaptive Tasks – Psychosocial Functioning

Controlling negative emotions, maintaining self-image and competence, preserving relationships, preparing for future uncertainty.

Coping Strategies

Denial/minimization, information seeking, self-care management, goal setting, social support recruitment, future planning, perspective management.

Role of Family in Coping

Active participation and encouragement support adaptation and self-sufficiency; careful response to needs reduces distress.

Long-Term Adaptation

Constructive changes to enhance quality of life; psychological resources + effective strategies → better coping; avoidance → poor adaptation.

Emotional Distress in Chronic Illness

Rates 2–3× higher than average; distress can exacerbate medical conditions.

Asthma Overview

Chronic respiratory illness where airways become inflamed and obstructed, impairing breathing during attacks.

Asthma Statistics

235 million worldwide; 26 million (8%) U.S.; ≈3,600 U.S. deaths per year; leading cause of short-term disability and lost work/school days.

Asthma Physiology

Immune system overreacts as if fighting antigens; airways spasm and produce mucus; attacks last ~1–2 hours and can cause tissue damage.

Asthma Causes

Genetic factors, respiratory infections, smoke or pollutant exposure; damaged respiratory system becomes sensitive to triggers.

Asthma Triggers

Differ per person but include allergens (pollen, smoke, pollution), cold air, exercise, infection, and strong emotions.

Asthma Psychosocial Factors

Stress and negative emotions worsen symptoms; childhood adversity increases risk; anxiety and catastrophizing exacerbate attacks.

Asthma Treatment

Avoid triggers; use preventative anti-inflammatory medications; rescue inhalers for acute attacks; exercise carefully; psychotherapy to reduce anxiety.

Epilepsy Overview

Chronic neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures from electrical disturbances in the cerebral cortex.

Epilepsy Statistics

≈65 million people worldwide; ≈2 million in U.S.

Seizure Types

Tonic-clonic (Grand Mal): loss of consciousness and rigid body followed by muscle twitching for 2–3 minutes; milder forms involve brief staring spells.

Epilepsy Causes

Often unknown; risk factors include family history, head injury, stroke; common before age 2 or after 55.

Seizure Effects

Usually end on their own; prolonged > 5 min = medical emergency; main danger = injury during attack.

Bystander Response to Seizure

Prevent injury, loosen clothing, don’t put objects in mouth, turn on side, call ambulance if > 5 min; describe episode after it ends.

Epilepsy Psychosocial Factors

Stigma and embarrassment from public seizures; optimism, social support, and sense of control aid adjustment.

Epilepsy Treatment

Anticonvulsant drugs (60% effective); brain implants for resistant cases; alternative methods (meditation, marijuana); support groups and therapy help coping.

Alzheimer’s Overview

Most common form of dementia characterized by progressive loss of attention, memory, and personality.

Alzheimer’s Statistics

5.3 million in U.S.; affects 1/10 over 65 and 1/3 over 85; average survival ≈ 8 years post-diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s Physiology

Brain shrinks (frontal cortex affected); myelin degrades; plaques and tangles block signals and destroy neurons; decline accelerates over time.

Cognitive Deficits

Problems with planning, organization, memory; aphasia (speech loss); agnosia (object recognition loss); facial agnosia (face recognition loss).

Stage Progression

Early = forgetfulness and irritability; later = disorientation, poor self-care, personality changes, and behavioral outbursts.

Alzheimer’s Risk Factors

Genetics, depression, and low education increase risk; the cerebral reserve hypothesis suggests larger brain size delays symptoms.

Psychosocial Factors & Caregiver Burden

Behavior changes (wandering, irritability) cause stress for families; caregivers need emotional and social support to prevent burnout.

Alzheimer’s Treatment

No cure; psychosocial support and reassurance for patients; family involvement and reminders to aid daily functioning; support for caregivers.