Self-management is essential for people with chronic physical conditions to help them with daily living activities. Aside from the primary disability, they also experience secondary disabilities such as chronic pain, depression, anxiety, or pressure sores. With the prevalence of possible secondary disabilities, there is a need for self-management to deal with its effects. Self-management can help them reduce pain, achieve their goals, or function independently throughout their lifespan.
Self-management is the ability to monitor and manage the symptoms, treatment, physical and psychosocial consequences and encompasses lifestyle change necessary to maintain a satisfactory quality of life. Some interventions include medication adherence, pain management, emotion management, healthy eating, exercise, and others. Other benefits of self-management include:
- Improved health outcomes, self-efficacy, and quality of life;
- Reduced morbidity, emergency visits, and costs of care;
- Decreased stress in the family associated with condition management;
- Shared responsibility with family;
- Improved medication adherence;
- Decreased pain; and
- Increased awareness and knowledge on the condition.
Behaviors towards disability depend on the perception of symptoms and how these symptoms interfere with daily life. The effects of disability affect the physical condition and other life aspects; thus, it is important to consider a holistic view on self-management. It should include interventions that address the physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects of people with disabilities. Incorporate elements that promote a sense of empowerment into the self-management interventions. The following are some of the interventions that can be helpful in self-management.
Physical interventions
- Symptom management
- Appropriate exercises and activities
- Relaxation training
- Posture training
- Psychoeducation on the cycles of pain, nutrition, or medication management
Cognitive interventions
- Cognitive restructuring
- Modify unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about pain and activity
- Understand the relationship of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors
- Reinterpret the symptom or situation
- Practice disability acceptance
- Explore mindfulness activities
- Use visualization and imagery techniques
- Goal setting
- Stress management
- Skill building
- Problem-solving
- Daily journal to monitor progress
- Homework (workbooks, modules, videos, worksheets, etc.)
Psychological Interventions
- Emotion management
- Individual or group counseling
- Coping skills
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