Tag: Health psychology

According to Psychology Today, millions of people experience symptoms of medical trauma each year. So, what is an example of a medical trauma? This comprehensive guide explains how events ranging from a difficult birth to a critical illness diagnosis can lead to lasting psychological distress.

Chronic diseases affect approximately 6 in 10 adults in the U.S., making effective self-management a critical part of wellness. But what is goal setting with a chronic illness, and how does it differ from the typical approach? It’s a specialized, flexible strategy designed to support your unpredictable health journey, prioritizing progress over perfection.

Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that optimistic women lived a significantly longer lifespan than their less optimistic counterparts. This demonstrates that embracing a positive outlook has tangible, health-extending effects, which are at the heart of understanding what are the benefits of positive health.

While a person's genes primarily dictate their observable characteristics, the term for physical appearance has multiple layers of meaning. This guide delves into the precise language used by scientists and psychologists alike to describe and understand human physical traits, from the genetic blueprint to our personal perceptions.

Research suggests that repetitive movements like leg jiggling are a common self-soothing behavior, often triggered by emotions or boredom. Understanding **why do people jiggle their legs?** can provide insight into their mental and physical state, from simple habit to more complex health issues.

Emerging in tandem with the scientific revolution and germ theory, the medical model has profoundly influenced Western medicine for centuries. It provides a core framework for thinking about health and illness, focusing on the biological and treating the body like a machine. Despite its foundational role in medicine, understanding what is the concept of the medical model reveals both its powerful contributions and significant limitations.

While the exact prevalence is difficult to determine, some estimates suggest factitious disorder may be present in 0.2–1% of hospitalized patients. This serious mental health condition explains **what does factitious mean in medicine**: the deliberate production or falsification of symptoms for the primary purpose of assuming the sick role.

While often used colloquially to describe extreme behavior, a clinical understanding of **what does it mean to be pathological** reveals a connection to illness and underlying conditions. Experts define it by its relationship to disease, distinguishing it from simple personality quirks or bad habits.

According to the American Psychological Association, behavioral medicine uses a biopsychosocial model, integrating biological, psychological, and social factors into treatment plans. A key example of behavioral medicine involves using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage chronic conditions like insomnia or pain.

While the clinical definition of a disease relies on objective, verifiable signs and test results, the personal experience of feeling unwell is entirely subjective. This fundamental duality is key to understanding the question, is sickness subjective or objective, as both aspects are essential for comprehensive healthcare and accurate diagnoses. Sickness, therefore, encompasses both a measurable disease and a personal illness.