Psychosocial And Behavioral Intervention - Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Respiratory Health
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Psychosocial and behavioral intervention
The struggle to control symptoms and the need to cut back on activities contribute to depression in many people with COPD. Breathing difficulty can also lead to anxiety. Therefore, psychosocial counseling is part of many pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Psychologists or psychiatrists are usually available to meet with you individually or in a group. Group therapy usually involves emotional support and teaches stress reduction techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation. Attending group therapy can counteract the feelings of isolation that come from suffering with a disabling illness. Talking with other people who are going through the same experience can be reassuring. Alternatively, working individually with a therapist can help you sort through your own feelings and reactions to your condition and also improve relations with people who are close to you.
If you and your therapist think you may be suffering from depression or anxiety, medication is available to treat these conditions. Research shows that a combination of medication and psychotherapy is often most effective.
Smoking and pulmonary rehabilitationIf you are still smoking, you may not be able to have pulmonary rehabilitation until you quit. Although some rehabilitation programs offer smoking cessation, increasingly such programs are requiring you to go to an outside smoking cessation program, where you can get counseling or medication to help you break the habit. Many health insurers will not cover pulmonary rehabilitation unless you have stopped smoking for at least three months. That's because studies show pulmonary rehabilitation is less effective for people who smoke or who quit during rehabilitation than it is for people who do not smoke. |
| Last updated: | May 23, 2007 |
|---|
Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
Search
Related Articles
Where Does it Hurt?
If you're experiencing aches and pains we can help you find answers. Find out what your symptoms mean for your health.
