I've a relative who refused to believe that not caring for her teeth would ultimately cause her to have a problem with her heart. She was frightened of the dentist, so she kept putting it off til she had a heart attack.
I think fear is a part of it -- often not wanting to confront one's poor decisions. Sometimes it's addiction -- tobacco, food, alcohol. Sometimes it's just plain comfort. People change when the discomfort of change is less than the discomfort of staying the same.
Fear is indeed a factor!
The fear that many of us have is of going to see a doctor. We don't want to know what's wrong or we're just afraid of the possible answer.
We also don't want to be the kid that cried wolf. Going to see the doctor or get carted to the ER every time we have gripping chest pains. When we then really do need them we want the EMTs to allow for a genuine problem.
As far as self destruction - that's when we really don't want to see a doctor. Humiliation, embarrassment, failure to name a few of the feelings we might incur upon ourselves and reinforced (doubles all of the preceding) by the doctor.
Hope it makes sense...
Denial, an inability to see that a specific action is leading to an eventual specific response. A smoker always knows someone who smoked like a smokestack and lived to 100 years of age and died peacefully in their sleep and that is who they think they will be. Humans tend to believe they are invincible. We don't consider adverse consequences or death because we don't want to think about them, IMO.
I quit smoking about 25 years ago because of a risk/benefit analysis I made and my desire to be a long-lived parent to my child. I have found risk/benefit analysis works for me in many venues, although it seems not to work for many other people.
Fear? -absolutely
Denial?-absolutely
As a health care professional (pharmacist) most people do not know what to ask nor do they enjoy being asked regarding their health nor told about their health.
How many times have you had a prescription filled and someone has asked you, " ... do you have any questions for the pharmacist?". I KNOW you have questions, but you don't know what to ask?
I know, you have waited everywhere, been picked and proded and you want to go home.
Do you think it appropriate for a pharmacist to warn you against smoking?
I was told to "mind my own business" although the medicine and nicotine collide.
I smelled something on someone's breath (acetone- a well described symptom of diabetes) and was as careful and discreet not to embarass, and was asked, "are you a doctor or something?"
The picture created by the media has caused such distrust regarding legitimate medicine, rolls of the physician, nurses, and pharmacists is terrible.
I don' t blame anyone for their behavior but now ask if you need my assistance or lead in by asking if the doctor or nurse mentioned anything regarding your medication.
You need to add TRUST to the list.
Best
Ricky
One my my colleges had a school of pharmacy and one of my friends became a pharmacist. I came to realize what an incredible resource pharmacy is to patients. They know more than doctors do about the medications and potential complications/reactions, etc.
It still doesn't explain why most of us wait until we are on the edge before changing behavior, but it does point out if we're willing to listen we may get some wisdom from unexpected places.
Just todat someone whom I trust gave me invaluable information about this new medicine will be starting in three weeks. al i can say is that it was reassuring but a stronger wordto describe it. Even hd my wife read the note to help calm her. ever u med switch in the past has brought a visit. to the e.r. so ...
