Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is defined as an autoimmune disease (Bishay, 2016). The lymphocytes of the body attack the thyroid and affect the functioning of it. This is a life altering disease that can cause disastrous consequences to the Hashimoto’s patient (Kırmızıbekmez, 2014). This is a disease which affects body’s functionality, energy, sleeping, fatigue, metabolism and much more (Bishay, 2016). Hashimoto’s takes a toll on its victims and often they can fall into depressed and discouraged states (Lieu, 2011). Psychologists, specifically health psychologists, could play a key role in managing symptoms and improving quality of life if they are involved in the treatment and coping of a patient dealing with this disease. The purpose of this paper is to examine Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis from the psychological theory of Planned Behavior and identify problems and complications from this disease, symptoms and issues of health, treatment, and a proper approach for Health Psychologists to help patients dealing with this disease. The Theory of Planned Behavior offers great insight in how a patient thinks about treatment and their disease (Rich, 2015).
…show more content…
First, they examine their behavior and then observe the beneficial parts of their behavioral and the negative effects of their behavior. This will then determine how the person feels about their actions and their effects. Any change will occur due to the perceived pros and cons. Pros and cons are what elicit the change in behavior. This is very important when examining Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, because if they do not view any of their behaviors as negative, they will never be able to effect a change to benefit their health (Rich, 2015). An individual experiencing this life altering disease is affected in many ways. In addition to their life being changed forever, their family is changed as well, because they must alter their lifestyle to accommodate for the Hashimoto’s patient’s needs in order to keep them healthy and experiencing a decent quality of life. Patients suffer mental difficulties, bodily fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, joint pain, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and memory problems (Bishay, 2016). One of the most serious implications of this disease is depression (Giynas Ayhan, 2014). Seeing the degradation of the patients life is very discouraging and can often result in spiraling depression cycle. Often behaviors in the patient’s life aggravate the symptoms of this disease which is where the role of a health psychologist begins (Giyans Ayhan, 2014). A health psychologist could be very beneficial when it comes to coping and dealing with the symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. They could walk them through The Theory of Planned Behavior to help them examine their behavior to elicit a change (Rich, 2015). Due to the symptoms as mentioned previously, a patient may have a struggle to live daily life. This is a life altering disease and can cause some severe bodily dysfunction (Bishay, 2016). This will also affect the family of the patient with this disease drastically. Because of the drastic effect on the diseased person and their family, this offers a health psychologist a unique opportunity to engage both the family, and the patient (Fisher, 2014). Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, the psychologist will be able to point out actions to the patients and family to examine what behaviors are having a negative and positive effect. Once examined, the information gathered could be used to make an effective change. (Rich, 2015). Hashimoto’s has a very limited research history. There is no cure. …show more content…
The body attacks the thyroid and causes changes in the body’s metabolism and energy. It causes depression and life altering effects to both the victim and their family. An important view is needed for a health psychologist to examine a patient with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to better understand the patient and how to effect proper treatment. It is also important to help them with adherence to treatment. The Theory of Planned Behavior is a great psychological perspective to understand Hashimoto’s because it helps the psychologist point the patient and their family to the behaviors that can be potentially affecting them in a negative way. There are several treatment that a psychologist can help patients adhere to which include: low dose naltrexone and anti-thyroxine drugs. Hashimoto’s is a debilitating disease that can benefit from a health psychologist’s point of view to improve a patient’s quality of
First, they examine their behavior and then observe the beneficial parts of their behavioral and the negative effects of their behavior. This will then determine how the person feels about their actions and their effects. Any change will occur due to the perceived pros and cons. Pros and cons are what elicit the change in behavior. This is very important when examining Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, because if they do not view any of their behaviors as negative, they will never be able to effect a change to benefit their health (Rich, 2015). An individual experiencing this life altering disease is affected in many ways. In addition to their life being changed forever, their family is changed as well, because they must alter their lifestyle to accommodate for the Hashimoto’s patient’s needs in order to keep them healthy and experiencing a decent quality of life. Patients suffer mental difficulties, bodily fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, joint pain, decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and memory problems (Bishay, 2016). One of the most serious implications of this disease is depression (Giynas Ayhan, 2014). Seeing the degradation of the patients life is very discouraging and can often result in spiraling depression cycle. Often behaviors in the patient’s life aggravate the symptoms of this disease which is where the role of a health psychologist begins (Giyans Ayhan, 2014). A health psychologist could be very beneficial when it comes to coping and dealing with the symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. They could walk them through The Theory of Planned Behavior to help them examine their behavior to elicit a change (Rich, 2015). Due to the symptoms as mentioned previously, a patient may have a struggle to live daily life. This is a life altering disease and can cause some severe bodily dysfunction (Bishay, 2016). This will also affect the family of the patient with this disease drastically. Because of the drastic effect on the diseased person and their family, this offers a health psychologist a unique opportunity to engage both the family, and the patient (Fisher, 2014). Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, the psychologist will be able to point out actions to the patients and family to examine what behaviors are having a negative and positive effect. Once examined, the information gathered could be used to make an effective change. (Rich, 2015). Hashimoto’s has a very limited research history. There is no cure. …show more content…
The body attacks the thyroid and causes changes in the body’s metabolism and energy. It causes depression and life altering effects to both the victim and their family. An important view is needed for a health psychologist to examine a patient with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to better understand the patient and how to effect proper treatment. It is also important to help them with adherence to treatment. The Theory of Planned Behavior is a great psychological perspective to understand Hashimoto’s because it helps the psychologist point the patient and their family to the behaviors that can be potentially affecting them in a negative way. There are several treatment that a psychologist can help patients adhere to which include: low dose naltrexone and anti-thyroxine drugs. Hashimoto’s is a debilitating disease that can benefit from a health psychologist’s point of view to improve a patient’s quality of