Clinical Health Psychology Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Clinical Health Psychology Assignment - Essay Example Limitations of the current research are discussed. The cognitive and emotional experience of cancer is associated with a broad range of reactions, from fear and anger to reconciliation and hope. Throughout the development of psychology science, cancer had always been one of the most problematic and challenging aspects of psychological strategies. Based on what the current research tells us, it is at least ridiculous to believe that psychologists can prevent cancer: they can either effectively alleviate the emotional and cognitive difficulties that necessarily emerge the moment the individual is being diagnosed with cancer, or contribute to the development of rational self-assessment and medical evaluation behaviors, which will help individuals, especially those with the genetic predisposition to cancer, to reduce the risks of being diagnosed with cancer when it is too late. The question of whether psychologists can prevent cancer is actually a question of whether psychology and individuals’ mental health are the basic predictors of cancer in various groups of patients. Postmodern medical science displays the tendency toward recognizing mental health conditions and complications as important contributors to other complex health states like asthma, diabetes, and even peptic ulcers (Nevid, 2008). Stress is cited among the most widely spread chronic health conditions that add their share of complexity to coronary heart disease and regular headaches (Nevid, 2008). For this reason, psychologists could provide individuals with effective support and reduce the risks of asthma and cardiovascular diseases associated with stress. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to the question of whether cancer is the result of psychological influences. The extensive body of research proves psychology counseling to be an effective instrument of alleviating