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body image | The perception and evaluation of one’s body, one’s physical functioning, and one’s appearance.
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| denial | A defense mechanism involving the inability to recognize or deal with external threatening events; believed to be an early reaction to the diagnosis of a chronic or terminal illness.
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| depression | A neurotic or psychotic mood disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide.
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| dieticians | Trained and licensed individuals who apply principles of nutrition and food management to meal planning for institutions such as hospitals or for individuals who need help planning and managing special diets.
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| occupational therapists | Trained and licensed individuals who work with emotionally and/or physically disabled people to determine skill levels and to develop a rehabilitation program to build on and expand these skills.
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| patient education | Programs designed to inform patients about their disorder and its treatment and to train them in methods for coping with a disorder and its corresponding limitations.
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| physical rehabilitation | A program of activities for chronically ill or disabled persons geared toward helping them use their bodies as much as possible, sense changes in the environment and in themselves so as to make appropriate physical accommodations, learn new physical and management skills if necessary, pursue a treatment regimen, and learn how to control the expenditure of energy.
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| physical therapists | Trained and licensed individuals who help people with muscle, nerve, joint, or bone diseases to overcome their disabilities as much as possible.
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| quality of life | The degree to which a person is able to maximize his or her physical, psychological, vocational, and social functioning; an important indicator of recovery from or adjustment to chronic illness.
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| self-concept | An integrated set of beliefs about one’s personal qualities and attributes.
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| self-esteem | A global evaluation of one’s qualities and attributes.
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| social workers | Trained and licensed individuals who help patients and their families deal with problems by providing therapy, making referrals, and engaging in social planning; medical social workers help patients and their families ease transitions between illness and recovery states.
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| support group | A group of individuals who meet regularly and usually share some common problem or concern; support groups are believed to help people cope because they provide opportunities to share concerns and exchange information with similar others.
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2003 McGraw-Hill Higher Education