Responses to Life-threatening Diseases

When people are faced with the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, it's important to keep in mind many of the most typical responses a cancer patient and family member may have. Being able to recognize and identify these responses in someone's thinking and attitude, behavior and emotions will help you be more effective in ministry as you consider how best to meet that person's needs and empower him or her to keep their immune system working at the maximum potential possible.

Physical responses often include some physical manifestations of stress, preoccupation with health and pain and suffering.

Cognitive responses often include shock, denial, bargaining, egocentricity and constriction of interests, changes in body image and self-esteem, reassessment of life and mortality, cognitive impairments, sleep distrubance, suicidal thoughts and hope.

Emotional responses may include guilt and shame, anger, fear and anxiety, jealousy and envy, grief, sadness and depression, humor and acceptance.

Behavioral responses may include hypersensitivity, control behavior, acting out, disengagement, dependence and regression.

Remember that one approach doesn't necessarily fit all when you're dealing with unique individuals and families and the filters through which they've received the news of a cancer diagnosis and what they think that may mean.