h. If you feel that your own anger is a problem, learn to control it. You may have
no control over anger-provoking situations, but you do have control over your emotional
and behavioral responses to such events. Monitor yourself. Pay close attention to the
thoughts that you have in response to these events. The things you say to yourself may
be causing you to become angry. Learn to control what you say to yourself and you can
learn to control your emotional responses to external events.
Section V. FAMILY MEMBERS
1-14. INTRODUCTION
a. Illness and/or hospitalization of one family member places stress on the entire
family unit. Members of a patient's family often have the same worries as the patient.
They may be concerned about such things as the severity of the illness or the financial
burdens of hospitalization. They may feel angry or helpless. They may have unmet
positive expectations, confirmed negative expectations, or unnecessary fear due to
erroneous or incomplete information. In addition, they may have feelings of guilt or
blame.
b. The interactions a patient has with his family and/or close friends usually have
a tremendous influence on his attitude about his illness. Positive or negative feelings,
optimism or pessimism, are usually contagious among close family members. Health
care providers must keep this in mind when dealing with family members.
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