The simplest definition of ill health is that it is opposite of health i.e. it refers to any deviation from normal functioning or the state of complete mental, physical and social well being.

Disease, ill-health, illness, and sickness need to be differentiated as they don’t imply the same meaning.

• Ill Health: The term ill health refers to a diseased condition that prevents an individual’s optimal physical, mental and social well being.
• Disease: The term disease primarily refers to physiological dysfunctioning. Though, these days, the term expanded to include within its purview, psychological dysfunctioning as well.

• Illness: It is a subjective state of a person who feels aware of not being well. Therefore, it alludes to the nearness of a particular sickness as well as to person’s recognition and conduct in light of the malady. It also the effect of the ailment on the psycho-social condition.
• Sickness: A state of social dysfunctioning. It is a role that a person assumes when ill. It is therefore quite possible to be a victim of disease without feeling ill and to be ill without having any physical impairment.

This feeling of illness depends upon a number of personality variables like pessimistic outlook, jealousy, hostility, insecurity, lack of self-control, etc.

In recent years, the term lifestyle diseases have been coined to refer to the disorders that are caused by many health damaging personal habits. Psychologists have identified a number of behavioral risk factors that increase the chance of illness. These include overeating, lack of exercise, unsafe sexual practices, drug and alcohol abuse, violence etc. Cognitive variables like attitude, beliefs and value system too play an important role in determining sickness. Interpersonal relationships, neighborhood and person’s socio-economic status are also the major determinants of this psychological state. Negative dispositions and sentiments of defenselessness and misery can make interminable pressure. Which irritates the body’s hormone adjust, exhausts the cerebrum chemicals required for joy, and harms the resistant framework. Unending pressure can really diminish our life expectancy.

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