Illness types; Reaction to illness: Impact of illness on client & Family Nurse's role in r/t illness behaviour of client Mind map added at the end

1. Illness Behaviour
• Illness types
• Reaction to Illness
• Impact of illness on Client & Family
Nirmala Roberts
India

2. Illness…
Not merely the presence of disease
Response of a person to disease, which is based on
the person’s perception ….SYMPTOM
A state in which a person’s physical, emotional,
intellectual, social, developmental or spiritual
functioning is diminished or impaired, compared with
that person’s previous experience

3. TYPES OF ILLNESS/ DISEASES

4. Types of illness/ Diseases…
Acute illness
Rapid onset of symptoms, severe
Symptoms last for a relatively short time (<3 months)
Outcome- Complete recovery/ death/ chronic illness
Chronic illness
Generally gradual onset, less severe
Symptoms carry on for a long period (>3months)
Outcome – Optimizes patient’s level of functioning &
coping (ability to live with illness)

5. …Types of illness/ Diseases..
Acquired – Disease that began at some point
in one’s lifetime
Congenital - Present at birth
Genetic – Caused by genetic mutation
(inherited/ random)
Hereditary/ Inherited – Passed on from
mother/father
Iatrogenic – Caused by medical intervention

6. ..Types of illness/ Diseases..
Idiopathic – Has an unknown cause
Incurable – Has no cure
Primary – Due to a root cause of illness
Secondary – A sequel/ complication of
primary disease
Terminal – That is expected to have an
inevitable result of death

7. Disorder – Functional abnormality/ disturbance
Mental
Physical
Genetic
Emotional
Behavioural
Functional
Syndrome –Association of several signs &
symptoms

8. STAGES OF ILLNESS

9. Stages of Illness
Acute disease – Short lived (not more than 3 months)
Chronic disease – Lasts for long time …up to 6 months –
with remission/ relapse or stable/ progressive
Subclinical disease – Silent/ asymptomatic …before
symptoms appear
Clinical disease – Stage of characteristic signs &
symptoms
Progressive disease – Natural course of disease 
worsening…to serious debility/ organ failure/ until death

10. Stages of Illness
Cure – End of medical condition (or treatment that
will end it)
Remission – Temporary disappearance of symptoms
Relapse – Return of symptoms after remission
Flare-up – Sudden worsening of symptoms
Refractory disease – Resistance to treatment for that
disease
Terminal phase – Stage between earlier disease
process and active dying

11. Extent of Illness
Localized disease – Affects one
part of body
Disseminated disease - Spreads to
other parts of body (In cancer 
Metastatic)
Systemic disease – Affects entire
body

12. REACTION TO ILLNESS

13. Illness Behaviour
= Reaction to illness
The ways persons monitor their bodies, define and
interpret their symptoms, take remedial actions
and use the health care systems.
A coping mechanism
An understanding of need for help
A means of obtaining reassurance
Release from roles, social expectations/ responsibilities

14. What Factors Influence
Illness Behaviour?
Internal –
Nature of illness –
Duration, severity
Perception of symptoms
Attitude towards illness
Impact of illness
Stages of illness
Nature of illness –
Acute/ chronic
Emergency & non
emergency conditions
External -
Visibility of symptoms
Other’s reaction to
client’s illness
Cultural background
Economic variables
Accessibility to health
care system
Support system

15. Stages of ‘accepting’ an illness
Not all follow the same order
Those getting stuck at any stage, needs expert
assistance
I - Denial
II - Anger III - Fear
IV - Grief
V - Acceptance

16. Stages of illness behaviour
- Edward Suchman (1976)
Experiencing symptoms
Accept/ deny…..action
Assuming the sick role
Withdrawal/ depression,
physical changes
Achieving Recovery &
Rehabilitation
May be quick/ delayed
Contacting medical care
Validation of diagnosis
…..’shopping’
Assuming a dependent role
Accepts care and protection
…. and changed social roles

17. IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON
CLIENT AND FAMILY

18. Impact on Client
Body image – A subjective concept of
physical appearance
Behavioural and emotional changes
Self concept
Family dynamics & roles
Financial impact
Change of social customs
Separation/ loneliness

19. Impact on Family
Impact on –
Parents
Spouse
Children
Siblings
Other members in the family

20. Impact on Family
Depends on –
Role of the client – Work, decision maker, parent
Nature, severity, duration of illness
Coping skills
Family dynamics – The process of family coping,
decision making, family functioning, giving support
Impact – Delayed action, new patterns of
functioning, stress, role reversal, conflicting
responsibilities

21. Remember….
Family is not always about blood..
Sometimes its about WHO is there to hold your hand
and support you, when you NEED them….

22. Nurses role
Acknowledge, accept and help client express positive
or negative feelings about the actual or perceived loss
Encourage family interaction with each other and
with rehabilitation team.
Provide care –
In the stages of illness behaviour & in accepting illness
With understanding of illness behaviour & coping
mechanism
For client and family - as one unit
In a non-judgmental manner

23. Contd..
Have individualized care plan
Involve client’s family in care plan
Maintain/ improve perception of health status
Involve spirituality and spiritual leaders
Help with changes in daily routine and occupation
Act as a counselor