ILLNESS AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR INTRODUCTION Illness An illness
ILLNESS AND ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR
INTRODUCTION �Illness : An illness is the response , the person has to disease. �It is an abnormal process in which the persons level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level.
Persons physical , emotional, intellectual , social, developmental or spiritual functioning is diminished. � �Illness is highly subjective ; only the individual person can say he or she is ill.
• “Illness is a state in which a person’s physical, intellectual, emotional, social or spiritual functioning is diminished or impaired in comparison with the previous experience”. Potter & Perry.
ILLNESS BEHAVIOR A coping mechanism , involves ways individual describes , monitor , interpret their symptoms , take remedial actions , and the use of health care system.
VARIABLES AFFECTING ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR 1. Internal Variables. 2. External Variables.
INTERNALVARIABLES • 1. Perception of symptoms. • 2. Nature of illness. • 3. Characteristics of person.
1. Perception of symptoms • It is the way of perceiving the symptoms of illness that influence illness
If a person takes the symptoms not too seriously & takes adequate treatment, recovery will be quick, but if a person takes it very seriously , it may become life threatening or fatal for the person.
Nature of illness • Nature of illness also affects illness behaviour. • As in the case of an acute illness when the person is taking treatment that will be
Characteristics of a person • How a person responds to illness depends upon the adjusting, coping abilities. • He may become well adjusted to illness or may get mentally disturbed.
EXTERNAL VARIABLES • 1. Visibility of symptoms. • 2. Social group. • 3. Culture & values. • 4. Economic variable. • 5. Accesibility of health care system.
1. VISIBILITY OF SYMPTOMS • The visibility of symptoms affects body image as well as behaviour. The clients with visible symptoms are more likely to seek more assistance than clients without symptoms.
• E. g. A person with lip ulcer will seek medical help sooner than a person with sore throat because the lip sore has changed the physical look.
SOCIAL GROUP
2. SOCIAL GROUP • Social group may assist the client in recognizing the threat of illness or support the denial of potential illness. • The clients responds positively to social support.
CULTURAL VARIABLES
3. CULTURE & VALUES • The culture & values teach the client how to remain healthy & also how to recognize the illness.
ECONOMIC VARIABLES
4. ECONOMIC VARIABLE • The economic constraints may delay the treatment or may allow the client to carry out daily activities. • Studies have shown that persons of low economic status have chronic illness.
5. ACCESIBILITY OF HEALTH SERVICES. • The proximity of health services has great influence on individuals in utilizing the same.
DETERMINANTS OF ILLNESS BEHAVIOR � Recognisability of illness symptoms. � The extent the person perceives symptoms as serious. � Information, knowledge and cultural assumption. � Disruption in family work and social activity. � Frequency of appearance. � Toleration level. � Physical proximity of treatment resources
STAGES OF ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR �Edward suchman (1972) identified stages of illness behavior.
SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCE Awareness of physical changes. Pain, rashes and lump etc
ASSUMPTION OF SICK ROLE �Accept sick role and seek confirmation �Self treatment �Excuses �Emotional responses �Illness persist seek professional help
MEDICAL CARE CONTACT �Seek professional advice �Accept or deny diagnosis �Follow the treatment plan
DEPENDENT CLIENT ROLE �Dependent for professional help. �Accept their dependence on the primary care provider.
RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION �Relinquish �Resume �Acute the dependent role former roles and responsibilities. illness (short term) – recovery fast �Chronic illness (Long term) s– recovery difficult
IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON PATIENT AND FAMILY
IMPACT ON THE CLIENT
EXPERIENCE BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL CHANGES
CHANGES IN SELF CONCEPT Loss of self esteem Loss of self concept
CHANGES IN LIFE STYLE Diet Exercise Activity Rest and sleep
IMPACT ON THE FAMILY
FACTORS : - Member of the family who is ill. Seriousness and length of illness Cultural and social customs the family follows
Role changes. Task reassigned and increased demands on time. Stress. Financial problems. Loneliness. Change in social customs.
THANK YOU
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