Psycology_and_Health_Problems

Psychology and Health Problems Psychology and Health Problems SUMMARY In chapter four, we were shown a diagram. In this diagram were different types of factors that play a part in our health. The multi-factorial model can be used in many different ways in psychology. This model has helped psychology be able to better understand and manage many health problems that we are faced with every day. It also uses genetic and lifestyle factors that may help diagnose and prevent medical problems that are accruing now or even in the future. When I first took a look at the multi-factorial model, I didn’t really understand how it plays a role in diagnosing someone. Now I think I understand how this works! Going into detail about the model and how it is made up of so many different factors is how it can determine the health of a person and how much they are at risk to a certain illness. These factors are: biological factors, sociocultural factors, environmental factors, personality, behavior, and stressors. Some of these factors, we may have some type of control over such as behavior. Then there are some factors that we may not have any control over, such as biological factors. EXAMPLES One example that I would like to use while keeping the multi-factorial model in mind is a person at risk of having a heart attack. You could look at the different factors that could be a key to prevention for this patient. One would look at the stressors. What kind of stress is the patient into' What causes the stressors' Then you would also look into the patient’s behavior. The behavior could shed some light on the patients eating habits and diet. Sometimes a person’s diet could be the key to the heart problems. Also, you could look in their behavior to see if that person is a smoker. Sometimes smoking is linked to heart attacks. Another example could be an overweight patient that has a history of smoking. This is a big problem. The patient could be shown that they are at risk for cancer, and obesity. Not having a healthy diet and exercise routine can lead to a person becoming obese. The patient also smokes. This would put the patient is a higher risk factor because smoking leads to cancer. So not only is this one person at risk for one thing, but they are making a list of health problems for themselves. Using this model, psychology can play a huge factor in helping people watch out for the many different health complications that may come their way. Know and understand ones genes, behavior, and stress problems could be the key to diagnose and treat the different problems in a patient’s life. Some of the factors in the model such as the biological factors, we really have no control over. Things are just sometimes passed down from generation to generation. Knowing some of our background health and the background health of some family is really important. You could be an easier patient to diagnose if the person treating you see’s some things in your family history that you may be getting. Knowing these things could lead to an early detection. FACTORS Biological Factors: The patient’s age, sex, Ethnicity, family history of illness, their medical history, and an in dept look at their overall health. This factor gives one the information needed to see their overall health, and the health that runs in their family. Sociocultural Factors: Health-related cultural and religious beliefs and practices, Access to health care, and Family circumstances (social class, family size, family conflict, family disorganization. This gives a look into the patient’s lifestyle. It will show their social status, their insurance status and also their beliefs. Environmental Factors: Vehicular safety, Water quality, Pollution, and Radiation. This is simply looking into your overall environment that you live in. Personality: Depression/anxiety, Hostility/suspiciousness. This is taking a deeper look into your personality to get a better idea of the kind of person you are and how you carry yourself. Behavior: Diet, Consumption of alcohol, Cigarette smoking, Level of physical activity, and Sleep patterns. This simply shows your behavior patterns. Stressors: Daily hassles, Major life changes such as divorce, death of a spouse, Frustration, and Pain and discomfort. This shows the things in your life that are causing the stress.