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Chronic illness

nurse talking with female patient about her medication

A chronic illness is one that persists for a long period. Chronic illnesses include many major diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. Disease management is important when dealing with chronic illness; this includes ensuring adherence to treatment and maintaining quality of life.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Resources from APA

Princes Kate

The psychological toll of early-onset cancer

Mental health impacts and interventions for young adults with cancer

professional office waiting room

Five tools to help young adults cope with cancer

Psychological interventions that help patients deal with severe illness

man talking to another patient during chemotherapy treatment

Psychological effects of cancer in young and middle adulthood

Mental health effects are profound and unique, as patients are often building their careers and families and lacking savings

doctor speaking with patient

Working with patients with weight-related chronic disease

Focusing primarily on weight can exacerbate mental and physical health struggles

More resources about chronic illness

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APA books

Cover of Health Psychology Consultation in the Inpatient Medical Setting (medium)

Health Psychology Consultation in the Inpatient Medical Setting

Cover of Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology, Third Edition (medium)

Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology, 3rd Ed.

Cover of When Your Child Has a Chronic Medical Illness

When Your Child Has a Chronic Medical Illness

Cover of Psychological Treatment of Cardiac Patients (medium)

Psychological Treatment of Cardiac Patients

Cover of Cognition and Behavior in Multiple Sclerosis (medium)

Cognition and Behavior in Multiple Sclerosis

Magination Press children’s books

The Year My Mother Was Bald

The Year My Mother Was Bald

Cover of Mighty Mike Bounces Back (medium)

Mighty Mike Bounces Back

Cover of Ani's Light (medium)

Ani's Light

description

The Bald-Headed Princess

Gentle Willow

Gentle Willow, 2nd ed.

Journal special issues

Cover of Pediatric Palliative Care, End-of-Life, and Bereavement

Pediatric Palliative Care, End-of-Life, and Bereavement

Cover of Physical Health of Men and Boys (special issue of Psychology of Men & Masculinities, April 2019)

Physical Health of Men and Boys

Cover of Obesity (special issue of American Psychologist, February–March 2020)

Obesity: Psychosocial and Behavioral Aspects

Cover of Cardiovascular Disease (special issue of American Psychologist, November 2018)

Cardiovascular Disease

Cover of Responding to the Opioid Crisis (special issue of Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, October 2019)

Responding to the Opioid Crisis