Malak Abu Omar PSYC 1111-01: Introduction to Health Psychology University of the People Professor Dan McCollum 21, May 2024
Psychology has many ways to help patients reduce their illness or pain, even with chronic illness patients. Firstly, it can raise awareness about the patient's beliefs, and how they impact their behavior. Then, psychologists can help the patient incorporate changes in their behavior. When the patient is aware of their beliefs and how they contribute to their behavior, they can start making changes. For example, if the patient's cancer is related to diet, we can help the patient understand why they eat what they eat; this is done by being aware of their beliefs. Then, we can start with…show more content… There are two possible coping strategies: approach coping and avoidance coping (Ogden, 2019). Approach coping means dealing with the problem, while avoidance coping means escaping from the problem (Ogden, 2019). This is first done when the psychologist decides whether approach coping, or avoidance coping, is the appropriate strategy for the patient (American Psychological Association, 2013). Then, the psychologist can suggest some strategies to help the patient. For instance, if the psychologist decides that coping approach is appropriate for the patient, then the psychologist can suggest strategies like socializing, distraction, and relaxation methods for the patient. When the patient tries socializing, they will receive social support, which will help them psychologically cope with the illness. Furthermore, when the patient socializes with other cancer patients, they can learn from each other new coping strategies. However, this change may be somewhat difficult for the patients if they have social anxiety. When it comes to distraction, this will help the patient not to think about the pain. According to Ogden (2019), the Gate Control Theory (GCT) says that focusing on pain can increase it, as focusing causes the…show more content… Finally, with the relaxation methods, the psychologist can suggest methods like breathing exercises and biofeedback (American Psychological Association, 2013). Also, the psychologist can teach the patient how to do it –if they do not know–, and its impact on reducing stress. In my opinion, this strategy is easy for the patient to do, but the psychologist must know what will help the patient. Maybe some movements or techniques can affect the treatment plan. Word count: 468 words. References: American Psychological Association. a. The adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the adage of the Managing chronic pain: How psychologists can help with pain management. Apa.org. https://www.apa.org/topics/pain/management Ogden, J. (2019) The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of The Psychology of Health and Illness: An Open Access Course. Semantic Scholar.
