Using Psychotherapy To Help Reduce Asthma Symptoms

I believe that everyone with a medical condition should talk to someone about it—a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, church leader, your mother, or your spouse, anyone who will listen and who you trust. Consider talking with someone who gets paid to listen, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can provide useful advice and insight. Unlike your mom or spouse, therapists are usually objective and have your interests in mind.

 

I strongly encourage psychotherapy, not only to help you deal with the emotions associated with having a chronic medical condition, but also because what goes on in the mind can have a definite impact on what happens in the lungs. This is especially true for children; multiple studies document that family-related stress has a devastating impact on childhood asthma. In fact, there is evidence that family therapy can dramatically improve asthma symptoms and lung function and is a useful adjunct to medication for asthmatic children. Give analysis a try. If after a few sessions you are not getting results, you can start talking to your mom or spouse.