What is Asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, affecting 4.8 million children in the United States.  Among children with chronic medical conditions, asthma is the most common cause for hospitalization and school absence.

Many diverse stimuli can trigger asthma symptoms including allergens, infections, exercise, cold air and emotions. More than one stimulus may trigger an asthma attack, and it is often difficult to identify with certainty the specific stimuli that triggered symptoms. An individual's susceptibility to asthma triggers may change in the course of maturation or in response to life circumstances.

Identification of children with asthma at greatest risk for morbidity and mortality is essential. Emotional states of hopelessness and despair, depression, chronic or intense emotional stress, separation and loss, and poor family functioning are all psychosocial risk factors in childhood asthma. These risk factors can be elicited by careful history taking, and family members and primary care providers can be alerted to be on the lookout for them as well.

How can psychological treatment help someone with Asthma?

Psychological treatment is directed toward changing such problems as fear or panic generated by asthma, noncompliance to medication regimens, incorrect inhaler use, and inappropriate use of hospital facilities (Creer, 1979, 1982, 1991).  Efforts are also made to increase the involvement of the patient in his/her treatment with their physician.  Additionally, an emphasis is placed on self-management of the patient’s asthma including goal setting, information collection, information processing and evaluation, decision making, action, and self-reaction.