Health or illness lies in our mind
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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Understanding health- Know the importance of Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. It is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health has three dimensions- Mental; Physical: and social. It is a condition that allows us to adjust well to our environment and derive maximum benefit from it and use that benefit for his/her psychological well being. Positive health refers to the perfect functioning of body and mind. It conceptualizes health biologically as a state, a situation, and circumstances. In which every cell and every organ is functioning in optimal capacity.and in harmony with the rest of the body.
Psychologically, it is a state in which, the individual feels a sense of perfect well being and a mastery of his environment.
“Social health is a state in which individual’s capacity for participation in a social system is optimal”.
The concept of Positive Health
This concept of positive health is a mirage as a man will never be able to adapt so perfectly with his environment.
The environment around us changes and to adapt to the changes, one needs new coping skills. To develop those coping skills, one needs time. Therefore, every change in the environment would definitely result in a period of struggle, before it is finally overcome. Hence, to remain in a state of positive health or for that matter, to achieve it, is a near impossibility.
A person who is able to express his genetic heritage completely can be regarded as a positively healthy individual. However, this goal is not easy because it requires that the individual has a relationship with the environment which is very healthy and also that he has the awareness to detect and know his potential so that he can transform his genetic potential into phenotypic reality.
To conclude, a healthy person is one who has an optimistic mindset. He is aware of his potentialities. He should not have an absolutistic thinking. They behave in a proactive manner rather than reactive way. They are able to use humor to deal with stressors. The balanced view of life is necessary, and a healthy person should be ready to change if circumstances demand. They are open to feedback from the environment so that, they can formulate their strategy to deal with it effectively. A healthy person has positive self-concept and confidence in their abilities.
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