3 Main sources of information 1. somatic perceptions 2. 3 Key components of psychosocial reaction 1. meaning of illness 2. The usual behviour responses are flight, fight and withdrawal.
Concrete losses involve body parts and functions.
Abnormal emotional response to loss is grief. The coping behaviours associated with grief may include withdrawal, helpless attention-seeking, hostile confrontations, noncompliance, substance abuse and suicide. For some patients being ill signifies, consciously or not, a welcome respite from the demands and responsibilities of social roles or from a difficult interpersonal situation or economic hard- ship. Illness may also help attenuate an inner conflict. The patient may regard the illness as either a just or an unjust punishment.