| Asthma is a disease that was for a long time | | | | another attack. And till the time the patient remains |
| considered to be governed by the malfunctioning of | | | | anxious and tense all sorts of medication fail despite |
| the nervous system. For this reason in the old texts | | | | best of efforts. So it becomes very necessary for the |
| this disease is mentioned as Asthma nervosa. Only | | | | patients to be given some kind of sedative for his own |
| when it was completely established that this was not | | | | betterment. But it is also important to take care and |
| entirely true, this practice was discontinued. | | | | administer all the drugs along with anti-asthmatic drugs |
| However it is still considered to be a disease that has | | | | under constant monitoring by competent doctors. |
| some connection with the emotional state of the | | | | It is extremely important for the asthma patient to |
| patient. Many patients do show marked changes in | | | | remain calm under all situations and conditions, even |
| their psychological behaviour once they are diagnosed | | | | during an attack. The body and the mind should both |
| with asthma. Also some studies have established that | | | | be kept completely relaxed. It is very necessary for |
| people with certain temperaments and personality | | | | the patient to not panic. For this he should have a very |
| traits are more likely to catch asthma. | | | | objective view of his situation. It is extremely important |
| The studies by Dr. Bastiaans and Dr. Groen in 1955 | | | | to educate oneself in order to achieve a state of |
| and Dr. S. B. Singh in 1977 highlight the personality traits | | | | relaxed mind and body. |
| of the people who are most likely to develop asthma. | | | | For this purpose it is important to read some self-help |
| These traits are classified as: | | | | material as well as have free communication with |
| · Excessive egocentric behaviour. | | | | one’s doctors to have a complete picture of the |
| · Marked tendency for dominating behaviour. | | | | situation. It is also important to know that it is extremely |
| · Marked tendency for impatient and impulsive | | | | rare for people to die as a result of an attack. Most |
| behaviour. | | | | attacks can be very well managed if a person is |
| · Reduced capacity for adapting and adjusting to | | | | aware of his situation and is well versed with |
| unfavourable circumstances in life. | | | | knowledge about tackling an emergency. The adage |
| · High emotional sensitivity. | | | | “knowledge is power” is perhaps most |
| · Excessive need for love and affection. | | | | adequately applicable to an asthmatic person’s |
| · Very stubborn attitude. | | | | situation. |
| · Very strong reactions to rivalry and jealousy. | | | | It is important to make certain changes in one’s |
| · Lack of communication with other people. | | | | lifestyle in order to avoid an emergency situation. |
| · Over anxious nature. | | | | · Having some discipline in one’s life is extremely |
| · Lack of self confidence. | | | | necessary. |
| · Deep rooted dependency. | | | | · It is important to accommodate exercise, morning |
| · High incidence of behavioural problems. | | | | walks, simplicity in diets, eating well balanced diet, |
| It was also observed that the attitude of parents | | | | regularising the working and sleeping times. |
| whose children develop asthma is also to be blamed | | | | · Following disciplined habits at workplace so as to |
| to a certain degree. Generally it is seen that the | | | | avoid piling up of work as this may lead to undue |
| attitude of the mother has greater influence than the | | | | tensions. |
| attitude of the father. As opposed to the popular belief | | | | · To develop a habit of complete relaxation and |
| of rejection from the parents, it is seen that the kids | | | | avoidance of anger. Most people benefit tremendously |
| who develop asthma have overprotective mothers | | | | by the practice of yoga and meditation. |
| who encourage very high dependence from the | | | | · The habit of unnecessarily worrying over trivial |
| children. | | | | matters is known to cause aggravation so it should be |
| This is done in order to satisfy some hidden emotional | | | | stopped immediately. |
| desires of dependence and emotional connectivity on | | | | · Prayer is a form of relaxation and most people feel |
| the part of the parent. The parents also showed | | | | tension free when they pray. |
| development of superegos and excessive anxieties | | | | · Complete acceptance of one’s situation is very |
| and transferred these traits to their children | | | | important. Denial leads to avoidance and finally to |
| subconsciously through faulty parenting practices. | | | | anxiety. The focus should not be on “Why me?” |
| Since the above mentioned inclinations are more or | | | | but the person must count his blessings and be |
| less indicative of clear tendencies there are specific | | | | thankful for the life he has. |
| situations of aggravation arising from patients who | | | | · It is extremely important to be in a position to pacify |
| have been diagnosed with asthma. There are | | | | and control an asthmatic child. For this it is important |
| indications that the disease aggravates with anxiety, | | | | that the nursing adult is completely in control of his |
| tension and emotional disturbances the management | | | | emotions and not feel sorry or disturbed. Children |
| of asthmatic condition on a psychological level | | | | sense the anxiety levels of the adults very well and |
| becomes very necessary for the wellbeing of the | | | | they should not feel that their condition is being |
| patients. | | | | bothersome to the adult. |
| The levels of increase of anxiety can itself trigger off | | | | |