There is a large percentage of the population experiences Chronic Illness. Due to a lack of relevant research and lack of diagnosis, the true amount remains unknown.

Prevalence of  Chronic Illness

• Work or School Absence
• Healthcare Utilization
• Temporary Disability

Different Impacts of Chronic Illness

- poor doctor and patient communication
- the patients personal beliefs 
- the patients personality traits
- the way the patients family interacts

Factors that Increase the Likelihood of Greater Chronic Illness impact

Due to the changes and stress associated with Chronic Illness, the patient is biologically and psychologically effected. This will also effect their environment and the people around them. 

Psychosocial Impacts of Chronic Illness

Parkinson's Disease is a chronic illness that impairs motor movement. Most research has focused on the physical aspects of the disease, but there have been observed psychological trends as well.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) Patient's Mental Health

Women who have breast cancer can feel an increase in psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, sexuality concerns, and self-blame.

The Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer

When a physician discloses or communicates to their patient a new medical diagnosis. Regarding diagnosis disclosure in dementia (specifically Alzheimer's disease), a number of physicians have been hesitant to tell patients they have this disease in fear of their patients experiencing high emotional distress and feelings of suicidality.

Diagnosis Disclosure in Dementia

- Meaning-making coping model
- Emotion-focused coping
- Problem-focused coping 
- Transactional model of stress and coping 
- Dual process model of loss 


Coping Models/Strategies

 A large percentage of people have Chronic Illness; the chronic illnesses have significant psychosocial ramifications for both the affected person and their family members. This in return creates new challenges for the field of psychology.


Syracuse University

Chronic illnesses (also referred to as chronic disease or condition) is a condition that lasts for a year or more and requires frequent medical care. Chronic conditions can effect or limit the activities in one's daily life.

Chronic Illness

When a paper you read mentions a form of stress, add it here as a bullet point, then create a concept child node defining it. Also make sure to add your reference to this node.
- Emotional Stress
- Stress caused via media
- Climate Grief
- Oxidative Stress
- Covid-19 Pandemic Stress
- Time Stress
- Anticipatory Stress
- Situational Stress
- Encounter Stress
- Workplace/Academia Stress
- Gender-related Stress
- Chronic illness and Stress
- Physical stress
- Psychological stress
- Psychosocial stress
- Psycho-spiritual stress
- Generational stress/ Generational trauma

Types of Stress

Dobbie, M., & Mellor, D. (2008). Chronic illness and its impact: Considerations for psychologists. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 13(5), 583–590.

When children are diagnosed with chronic illness, parents often have to become full-time caregivers. This, compounded with work and other life stressors, lead to depressive symptoms and stress in parents.

Grief in parents caring for chronically-ill children

The Impacts of Chronic Illness

- Health-care Utilization
- Reduction of Activities
- Temporary Disability


Impact of Chronic Illnesses

Due to an ever evolving social and economic world, healthcare needs have changed drastically over the decades. These changes have influenced the lived experience of people with chronic illness and disability. This is because these individuals have an added struggle of not being perfectly healthy. A growing body of research focuses on the relationships between society, the self, disability, and illness. 

Chronic Illness, Expert Patients and Care Transition

- Physical Chronic Disease
- Mental Chronic Disease
- Comorbid Chronic Disease

Forms of Chronic Diseases

Although not classified as a specific disorder, some researchers have begun to see that global warming is causing mental health problems for many people, especially those most affected by environmental destruction. This idea has been referred to as "climate grief." Climate grief most often manifests as some form of depression or anxiety.

Climate Grief

Oxidative stress is the imbalance of the manifestation of reactive oxygen species and the body’s ability to fix resulting damage or detoxify the reactive intermediates. This imbalance causes a disturbance in the cells that leads to a toxic effect that damages all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids and DNA.

Oxidative Stress

In recent years, access to media content has dramatically increased. Although this makes information more accessible, some studies indicate that exposure to traumatic images can lead to stress-related symptoms.

Media Exposure and Stress

Although not a formal designation, workplace and/or educational settings are often large sources of stress in people's lives. Therefore, it is important we understand how these environments can impact a person's mental health to make these often hostile environments better.

Workplace/Academia Stress

Stress caused by worry about time or the lack of time one has to accomplish their obligations.

Time Stress

Stress caused by an upsetting situation one cannot control.

Situational Stress

Stress caused by anxiety surrounding seeing a specific person or group.

Encounter Stress

Stress caused by the anticipation of an event, assignment, or activity.

Anticipatory Stress

Stress caused by health concerns,  individual situations, and/or societal impacts of the Covid-19 virus. 

Covid-19 Pandemic Stress

Men and women have different stress resources and report different reactions to stress, both physically and mentally. 

Gender-related Stress

 (PTS) describes a general set of symptoms a person may suffer after enduring an intensely stressful situation. Some PTS symptoms are feeling afraid or nervous, increased heart rate, avoiding situations that remind of the traumatic incident, being distracted, having shaky hands, and having nightmares about the incident.

Posttraumatic Stress (PTS)

The feeling of psychological strain and uneasiness produced by situations of danger, threat, and loss of personal security or by internal conflicts, frustrations, loss of self-esteem, and grief. Also called emotional tension.

Emotional Stress

Interpersonal stress during adolescence affects adult mental health. During adolescence individuals form their ethnic-racial identity, pursue romantic relationships, and become more independent. Immigrants specifically may face discrimination and language barriers. 

Interpersonal Stress During Adolescence

Physical stress refers to the strain that is placed on the body as a result of physical activity or exposure to environmental factors such as extreme heat, cold, or altitude. Examples of physical stressors include exercise, manual labor, illness, injury, and exposure to environmental toxins. Physical stress can have both positive and negative effects on the body.

Physical stress

Psychological stress refers to the emotional and mental strain that individuals experience as a result of challenging or demanding situations. Psychological stress can arise from a variety of sources, such as work or school pressures, relationship problems, financial difficulties, or traumatic life events. The experience of psychological stress can trigger the body's stress response, which can have both immediate and long-term effects on physical and mental health. 

Psychological stress

Psychosocial stress refers to the stress that arises from the interaction between social and psychological factors. Psychosocial stressors can include events such as relationship problems, discrimination, or social isolation, as well as internal experiences such as low self-esteem or anxiety. Psychosocial stressors can have a profound impact on an individual's mental and physical health, as they often involve a sense of threat to one's well-being or identity. 

Psychosocial Stress

Psycho-spiritual stress refers to the stress that arises from the interaction between psychological and spiritual factors. This type of stress can be triggered by a variety of experiences, such as a crisis of faith, existential concerns, or a sense of disconnection from one's values or purpose. Psycho-spiritual stress can have a significant impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being, as it often involves a deep questioning of one's beliefs and values.

Psychospiritual Stress

Generational stress, or generational trauma, is the psychological effects experienced by descendants of those with severe and unresolved trauma.

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