Experiencing And Explaining Disease: Bk. 8 (Health & Disease) Book

Experiencing and Explaining Disease is a multidisciplinary account of the major factors influencing the ways in which states of wellness or illness are explained by professionals and experienced by lay people. This book examines the variety of meanings given by doctors, patients and the media to four contrasting states of ill-health: rheumatoid arthritis - a chronic, painful and permanently disabling condition; HIV and AIDS - a viral infection which leads to other, still ultimately fatal infections; asthma - a respiratory disorder which can involve acute emergencies but may be chronic or self-limiting; schizophrenia - a mental state characterised by thought disorder and problems in the perception of reality. / Experiencing and Explaining Disease examines prevailing social norms affecting the status of the sick person; why are some stigmatized and blamed for their condition or excluded from normal social interactions, while others are considered brave or victims of environmental damage? What factors contribute to or alleviate pain and suffering? / This book will be an invaluable text for students of health studies, social work, social policy, medicine, nursing and the social sciences. It will also be important reading for a wide range of health professionals and carers.Read More