Health Psychology: Managing Chronic Illness
Initially not considered medically important unless length of survival and signs of disease were considered; psychosocial consequences of illness and disease were deemed unimportant.
Examines how its components (physical functioning, psychological status, and social functioning) are affected by disease or treatment related symptoms; gauge the extent to which a patient’s normal (life) activities are compromised by disease and its treatment.
Guide development of interventions to improve QOL
Pinpoint potential problems specific for patients with particular diseases
Assess the impact of treatments
Guide comparison of therapies
Inform practitioners of care strategies that maximize long-term survival with the highest possible QOL
Denial – most common response; patient often wants to avoid implications of their illness; e.g. act as if their illness is not severe, will go away shortly, or has little to no long-term complications
Anxiety – result of being overwhelmed by potential major changes in life as well as the prospect of death; e.g. catastrophic thinking
Depression – complicates treatment adherence, medical decision making (adopting a co-managerial role); oftentimes a late reaction since patients don’t realize the full implications of their illness.
Physical Self – body image; perception and evaluation about one’s physical functioning and appearance
Achieving Self – People derive primary life satisfaction from their job or career.
Social Self – Family and friends are an important source of needed information, tangible help, and social support.
Private Self – residual core of a patient’s identity (ambitions, goals, and desires for the future)
Physical Rehabilitation – Goals: regain and/or maintain as much mobility as possible, learn how to sense changes in one’s environment to make appropriate physical accommodations, learn how to control energy expenditure.
Vocational Issues – restricting or changing work activities
Social Interaction problems – ambivalence, effects of illness on the family and family interactions, dyadic coping
Gender as a factor – Typical caregiver is more likely to be elderly, female, caring for an ill spouse; at risk for distress, depression, declining health.
Children may not fully understand their diagnosis and treatment as they try to cope.
Chronically ill children may not be able to follow their treatment plan independently. Therefore, the family has a vital role to play in actively participating in the child’s illness and treatment processes.
The family’s interdependence in cases of chronically ill children may lead to tension between parent and child.
Sometimes, children may be exposed to isolating and terrifying procedures as part of their treatment.
Help parents understand that children may show a variety of maladaptive behaviors such as: rebellion, withdrawal, repression and/or regression.
Children may also have low self-esteem as a result of their treatment process; e.g. hair loss secondary to chemotherapy
Children may also feel cheated especially when their friends and acquaintances are healthy.
Parents who have REALISTIC attitude towards the illness and its treatment can best soothe the child emotionally and make an INFORMED decision regarding their care.
Encourage children to engage in as much SELF-CARE as possible.
Encourage realistic return to normal activities (includes school and physical activities).
Educate other family members about the child’s illness and treatment regimen.
Initially not considered medically important unless length of survival and signs of disease were considered; psychosocial consequences of illness and disease were deemed unimportant.
Examines how its components (physical functioning, psychological status, and social functioning) are affected by disease or treatment related symptoms; gauge the extent to which a patient’s normal (life) activities are compromised by disease and its treatment.
Guide development of interventions to improve QOL
Pinpoint potential problems specific for patients with particular diseases
Assess the impact of treatments
Guide comparison of therapies
Inform practitioners of care strategies that maximize long-term survival with the highest possible QOL
Denial – most common response; patient often wants to avoid implications of their illness; e.g. act as if their illness is not severe, will go away shortly, or has little to no long-term complications
Anxiety – result of being overwhelmed by potential major changes in life as well as the prospect of death; e.g. catastrophic thinking
Depression – complicates treatment adherence, medical decision making (adopting a co-managerial role); oftentimes a late reaction since patients don’t realize the full implications of their illness.
Physical Self – body image; perception and evaluation about one’s physical functioning and appearance
Achieving Self – People derive primary life satisfaction from their job or career.
Social Self – Family and friends are an important source of needed information, tangible help, and social support.
Private Self – residual core of a patient’s identity (ambitions, goals, and desires for the future)
Physical Rehabilitation – Goals: regain and/or maintain as much mobility as possible, learn how to sense changes in one’s environment to make appropriate physical accommodations, learn how to control energy expenditure.
Vocational Issues – restricting or changing work activities
Social Interaction problems – ambivalence, effects of illness on the family and family interactions, dyadic coping
Gender as a factor – Typical caregiver is more likely to be elderly, female, caring for an ill spouse; at risk for distress, depression, declining health.
Children may not fully understand their diagnosis and treatment as they try to cope.
Chronically ill children may not be able to follow their treatment plan independently. Therefore, the family has a vital role to play in actively participating in the child’s illness and treatment processes.
The family’s interdependence in cases of chronically ill children may lead to tension between parent and child.
Sometimes, children may be exposed to isolating and terrifying procedures as part of their treatment.
Help parents understand that children may show a variety of maladaptive behaviors such as: rebellion, withdrawal, repression and/or regression.
Children may also have low self-esteem as a result of their treatment process; e.g. hair loss secondary to chemotherapy
Children may also feel cheated especially when their friends and acquaintances are healthy.
Parents who have REALISTIC attitude towards the illness and its treatment can best soothe the child emotionally and make an INFORMED decision regarding their care.
Encourage children to engage in as much SELF-CARE as possible.
Encourage realistic return to normal activities (includes school and physical activities).
Educate other family members about the child’s illness and treatment regimen.
