ILLNESS AND DISEASE Flashcards
Is a highly personal state in which the person’s physical, emotional, intellectual, social, developmental, or spiritual functioning.
Illness
Can be described as an alteration in body functions resulting in a reduction of capacities or shortening of
the life span.
Disease
The causation of the disease is called
ETIOLOGY
- Characterized by symptoms of relatively short duration.
- Symptoms appear abruptly and subside quickly.
Acute Illness
- One that lasts for an extended period.
- Usually 6 months longer.
- Usually have slow onset and have periods of remission (when the symptoms disappear) and exacerbation (when the symptoms reappear.)
Chronic Illness
STAGES OF ILLNESS
suchman, 1979
Stage 1: Symptom experiences
Stage 2: Assumption of the sick role
Stage 3: Medical care contact
Stage 4: Dependent Client Role
Stage 5: Recovery or Rehabilitation
The person comes to believe that there is something wrong.
The person looks unwell and experiences symptoms such as pain, cough, rashes, etc.
Symptom experiences
3 aspects of symptom experiences
- Physical Experience of Symptoms
- Cognitive Aspect: The interpretation of the symptoms in terms that have some meaning to the person.
- Emotional Response: Fear or anxiety.
- often seeking confirmation from family and friends.
- They may continue self-treatment and delay consultation with a doctor.
- Emotional responses such as depression and anxiety are common.
- When symptoms or illness persist, the individual moves to the next stage.
Assumption of the sick role
The individual usually seeks professional help, asking for three types of information:
Medical Care Contact
- Validation of the Illness
- Explanation of the Symptoms in understandable terms
- Reassurance that they will be all right or a prediction of the outcome
After accepting the illness, the client becomes dependent on the professional for help.
Dependent Client Role
This final stage may require therapy to learn and make major adjustments.
Recovery or rehabilitation
