Session 1 - Psychological Factors, Health + Illness Flashcards
Describe the Biomedical model.
The traditional approach to medical practice in which there is little interest in the social or psychological factors of health but purely the biomedical features
Describe the Biopsychosocial model.
The idea that medical practices should take an appreciation for the psychological, biological and social aspects.
Give four examples of physiological responses to stress.
- Increased oxygen availability
- Increased fuel availability
- Preparation for tissue fatigue/damage
- Enhanced mental functioning
- Conservation of energy resources
- Enhanced physical functioning (any of these four)
Briefly describe the transactional model.
We weigh up between the demands put upon us and the resources that we have available to deal with them and have appraisals between these before our stress response is decided upon.
Secondary appraisals may then occur after a short time to re-evaluate the resources and demands.
What are the five main ways that stress can be managed?
- Cognitively (cognitive restricting, hypothesis testing)
- Behaviourally (skills training e.g. Time-management)
- Physically (relaxation training, exercise)
- Emotionally (counselling, social support)
- Non-cognitive strategies (drugs, alcohol, sesh)
Name some cognitive symptoms people with chronic stress may experience.
- memory problems
- poor concentration
- poor judgement
- negative thinking
- anxious/racing thoughts
- constant worrying
Name some emotional symptoms people with chronic stress may experience.
- moodiness, irritability or short temper
- agitation, inability to relax
- feeling overwhelmed
- loneliness
- depression
Name some physical symptoms people with chronic stress may have.
- aches and pains
- diarrhoea or constipation
- nausea or dizziness
- chest pain, rapid heartbeat
- decreased sex drive
- depressed immune system and frequent colds
Name some behavioural symptoms people with chronic stress may have.
- eating more or less
- sleeping more or less
- isolating themselves
- procrastinating
- use of alcohol, drugs or cigarettes
- nervous habits (nail biting etc)
What may people with a chronic illness have to cope with?
- Diagnosis (emotional responses e.g. Shock, anxiety, depression)
- Physical impact (pain, limited mobility)
- Treatment (anxiety, discomfort, body image issues)
- Hospitalisation (loss of autonomy, privacy, status)
What socioeconomic impacts may there be for a person with a chronic illness?
- financial problems if work is affected
- social problems: housing, childcare etc
- relationship problems: family, friends, colleagues
Describe emotion focused coping and give some examples.
Emotion focused coping is when you try to change your emotion/thoughts on the subject so that you can better cope with them instead of tackling the problem itself
- e.g. Talking to friends, alcohol, finding a distraction, denial, focus on positives
Describe Problem focused coping and give some examples.
Problem focused coping is when you try to change the problem itself or your resources that you have to make it less of a problem.
E.g. If mobility is a problem you may look into physiotherapy or buy a wheelchair
What three main ways could you aid a patient to cope?
- Increase/mobilise social support
- Increase their personal control
- Prepare them for stressful events
Why may someone with a chronic illness be more at risk of mental health problems?
- unpleasant emotional state
- response to loss, failure or helplessness
- loss of self worth
- loss of identity
- side effects of medication
What are some of the barriers to identifying psychological difficulties in patients?
- Symptoms may be inadvertently missed
- Patient may not disclose symptoms
- HCPs may avoid asking
Describe the basis of cognitive behavioural therapy.
Pragmatic combination of concepts and techniques from cognitive and behaviour therapy. Relieve symptoms by changing maladaptive thoughts, beliefs and behaviours.
What are the 5 cognitive aspects of CBT?
- Education
- Monitoring
- Behavioural experiments
- Examining negative thoughts
- Rehearsal of coping with difficult situations
What are the 3 Behavioural aspects of CBT?
- Reinforcement
- Activity scheduling
- Graded exposure
Describe the basis of Pyschodynamic therapies.
Aim to resolve the unconscious conflicts that underlie symptoms by exploring feelings. It uses the experience and relationship of the therapist.
Describe the basis of Systemic and family therapy.
Individuals, couples or families focuses on relational context and address the patterns of interaction and meaning. Aim to facilitate resources within system as a whole.
Describe the basis of humanistic therapy.
Relies on general counselling skills. Is often used to help people cope with immediate crises where the patient already has a motivation to problem solve.
