Having a serious illness can be incredibly difficult, especially when there is no cure. As your disease progresses, not only your physical health, but your entire well-being may be affected. Unfortunately, most of your medical care may only treat your body. However, there are things that you and your health care team can do to help you feel better as a whole person. This collaborative, skill-based program will teach you practical techniques to help you cope with your illness and the stress of everyday life. You will learn strategies to improve your mood and deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger. Social support is key to successful coping and you may need to strengthen your relationships, especially with caregivers. It is also important to work with your medical team and develop more effective ways to manage your symptoms. You will set goals regarding your care as well as your quality of life. In addition, you may choose to explore your spirituality and practice tools that promote personal growth. Your facilitator will work with you to tailor the program to your individual needs. This workbook includes user-friendly forms to help you apply the content of the sessions to your personal situation. At the end of this program, you will have a new set of hands-on skills to master as you continue to grow.
Jason M. Satterfield, Associate Professor and Director of Behavioural Medicine, University of California San Francisco, USA
Module 1: Stress and Coping Session 1: Medical Illness and Stress Session 2: Stress, Thinking, and Appraisals Session 3: Coping with Stress: Problem-Focused and Emotion-Focused Strategies Module 2: Mood Management Session 4: Illness and Mood: Depression Session 5: Illness and Mood: Anxiety Session 6: Illness and Mood: Anger Module 3: Social Supports Session 7: Social Support Network Session 8: Communication and Conflict Resolution Module 4: Quality of Life Session 9: Management of Medical Symptoms Session 10: Quality of Life: Setting Goals and Looking Forward Session 11: Resilience, Transendence, and Spirituality Appendix: Recommended Readings and Other Resources
