This is the chapter of
"Healing Psyche - Patterns and Structure for Combined Cancer Treatment (CPCT)"
In their quest for health, clients are willing to try anything, hoping for a miraculous cure. They often think that they can try it because they “are not losing anything.” Unfortunately, something is missing. Clients may gain a false sense of hope. They may lose interest in conventional medicine or other related methods. Eventually, they may also be deprived of valuable time by pursuing unsatisfactory treatment.
Concurrent psychotherapy is often asked about issues such as false hopes. Some people fear that if cancer clients become optimistic, they will deceive themselves, and they will end up disappointed. They think that as long as they expect the worst, they will not be disappointed. This is false hope. Such people like to call themselves facts, but they are actually hopeless people.
Many people misinterpret the true meaning of the concept of optimism, hopelessness, or reality. Hopeless people view the world as a dark place, where there is only sorrow and everything is hopeless. They deny the positive side of things. Hopeful people see the world as one fun playground, where there is joy everywhere. They deny the negative side of life. Reasonable people know that there are positive and negative aspects of life. They fully embrace both sides.
"No one knows enough to be a hopeless person."
- Norman Cousins -
- Pessimist: My glass is almost empty.
- Optimist: My glass is still full.
- Fact: I have a piece of glass.
When therapists work on the psychological problems described in this work, they do not give false hope, but help clients become more realistic. Real hope is what this therapy has to offer.
The community and the medical team often issue a certain type of death certificate (albeit a small, daily one) and a cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, it can not be. There is no guarantee that a person will die of cancer. On the other hand, there is also no guarantee that a person will be cured of cancer after intervention. The issue of false hope occurs only when the doctor (medical or psychiatrist) gives the assurance that the patient has been treated after the intervention. So false hope exists only as a false guarantee.
The presence of trust in customers is often associated with better health, and despair is often a precursor to negative consequences. Giving hope, however, is not a guarantee, but aids the healing process.
Example:
When people get married, there is no guarantee that they will be happy. This can be interpreted by a hopeless person as a false hope.
However, waiting for the end of the marriage after a few years will likely be an assurance.
The prospect of happiness does not guarantee success, but it certainly does.
Feelings of hope trigger placebo effect. The potential effects of placebo are undeniable, even in the case of cancer.
“Everyone knows that someone is dying of cancer, but I was not sure if I should wear this. This (belief) was considered absurd. ”
Excerpt from a patient for automatic forgiveness
- Dan van Baalen - (1987 [1])
False hope is real, and it may seem to focus only on the unfulfilled consequences, while denying the present reality. Such unreasonable expectations lead to disappointment and feelings of guilt. The hope of healing is a real hope. A real or mature hope to embrace current feelings, thoughts, relationships, and opportunities for improvement. Focusing on the hopelessness and the feeling of self-worth is not the same as seeing only a bright and prosperous future.
False hope
- I focus only on the good.
- I can do whatever I want.
- I can control everything.
False despair
- I roll with despair.
- I can't control anything.
- It all scares me, and disease and emotions control me.
Real hope
- Sometimes I feel hurt, and sometimes I feel more connected to life and to others than ever before.
- There are other things beyond my control. However, there can be a lot of things I can control.
- I prefer to live as fully as possible now. My level of health may be related to my physical health, but no matter how long I live, I plan to do my best.
Hope initiates action, and promotes well-being. Without hope, people do not take steps to improve their lives. Hope is a supportive and motivating force to awaken good deeds to increased self-control.
Solano et al. (1993 [2]) studied the link between mood and well-being and the potential for symptom development. They concluded that “The
the best attitude towards prognosis seems to be fully recognized
The state of being and the determination to do something about it. ” This conclusion is supported by many other authors. Despair leads to inactivity and allows things to happen. Hope arouses a strong desire to take action.
"Trust in God and bind your camel to the tree."
- Muhammad -
[1] Baalen, van, Dan C. & Varies, DE, Marco J. (1987) The automatic recurrence of cancer - Medical, pathological and psychological research, Rotterdam: Erasmus University
[2] Solano, L. & Costa, M. & Salvage, S. & Coda, R. & Aunty, F. & Melanoma, I. & Bernini, M. (1993) 'Psychological and social factors and evolution in HIV -1 infection - long-term research, J. of Psychosomatic Research, A 37 (1): 39-51
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