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Psychological Care of Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Abstract
Physicians treating patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis spend a considerable amount of time dealing with the psychological and social aspects of the disease. The patients' reaction to the disease can be related to age, experience, personality, and environment at work and at home. Common problems include loss of independence and self esteem, relations with family and friends, employment, and management of pain. Physicians should be attentive to the psychosocial aspects of rheumatoid arthritis and recognize their dynamic interactions to minimize their impact.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Departments of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Rheumatology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital; and the Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis Center; Boston, Massachusetts.
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Grant support: AM-20580 from the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Physicians, and a Fellowship from the Medical Foundation, Inc.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Matthew H. Liang, M.D.; Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street; Boston, MA 02115.
- © 1982 American College of Physicians
