Why offer a clinical psychology service in the CF Unit?
It is generally well accepted that the best possible health anyone can achieve depends on the successful management of both physical and psychological well-being. It is therefore important to be aware of emotional as well as physical health maintenance. Emotional discomfort can occur in response to all sorts of situations, and this can make life more difficult and less enjoyable. Whilst emotional discomfort is experienced by everyone from time to time, people living with a chronic illness such as CF can experience additional stresses and strains in many areas of life which can impact adversely on their psychological well-being. In turn, psychological concerns can impact upon one’s physical health, such as through behaviour (eg. not paying as much attention to our health when we feel down) and through the effects of stress on the body. The clinical psychologist is the member of the CF team who specialises in helping people deal with emotional and psychological difficulties, and who can
