Psychology 2036A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Chronic Condition, Cardiovascular Disease, Thanatology

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2036A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazelwood

Document Summary

Tertiary intervention- helping people cope with chronic and terminal illness. Chronic illness are long-term illnesses which often they have no cure. Part 1: initial reaction chronic illness: shock (many questions but no clear answer) Denial can be harmful don"t think the symptoms are serious or don"t think they are ill. Denial can be beneficial if its immediately after. Part 2: challenges faced by the chronically ill: symptoms of illness (eg. pain, weakness, disfigurement and paralysis) People feel self-conscious about their symptoms so they withdraw from social interactions: the treatment process can pose challenges. Painful, inconvenient and require major changes to lifestyle: the treatment setting. People with chronic illness face more general challenges. Preserving a reasonable emotional balance to avoid becoming overwhelmed with fear/helplessness (eg. maintaining optimism) Preserving a positive self-image and sense of independence (see self-concept and self-esteem) eg. give up their job or their hobbies. Preserving relationships with family, friends and (the social support they can provide)