Psychological Treatment of Patients with Chronic Respiratory Disease

This concise primer shows clinical health psychologists how to assess and treat adults suffering from chronic respiratory disease. It provides basic medical information for practitioners, especially those performing in outpatient settings who may be unfamiliar with these conditions, and gives psychologists clear, practical answers to the following questions: What is this disease? What is its impact on this person's life? How, as a psychologist, should I assess and treat this person? In this book readers will learn to identify common symptoms of respiratory dysfunction, and the basic features of common pulmonary diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, fibrosis and pneumoconiosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, and sleep apnea. Common medical treatments are described, along with environmental and occupational exposures that can exacerbate symptoms, as well as the impacts of gender, racial, and environmental factors. Chapters examine psychological evaluation and treatment, with a particular focus on anxiety and depression, the two most common comorbid mental health conditions. Cognitive and behavior treatments, psychotropic medications, and anti-smoking interventions are discussed, as are the mental health effects of chronic pulmonary disease on family members and friends, end-of-life issues, ethical and professional issues.