Psychology 2036A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Terminal Illness

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

Document Summary

Helping people cope with chronic and terminal illness. Chronic illness long term illness that often have no cure. Disorientation& being overwhelmed (can"t think straight, can"t develop plans for coping: denial. Of illness severity (life will go on as usual) Serves as emotional buffer)helps people control their emotional responses: anxiety and depression(p333-335) Part 2: challenges faced by chronically ill: specific illness-related challenges: Embarrassing changes to body functions: the treatment process(painful. inconvenient, requires major changes to lifestyles, treatment setting. Dealing with hospitalization (ch8) and patient-provider relations(ch9: general challenges, preserving a reasonable emotional balance(maintaining optimism) 2. preserving a positive self-image and sense of independence(see self-concept& self- esteem, p337-340) 3. preserving relationships with family, friends (and the social support they can provide) 4. preparing for an uncertain future( e. g. , going through cycles of illness -when am i going to feel sick; when am i going to feel fine?) 1. denial (effective in early stages of illness; serves as an emotional buffer)