HLSC 111 Task 2: Essay
Discuss the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural responses an individual is likely to experience in response to a newly diagnosed condition with a poor prognosis.

An individual’s response to a newly diagnosed condition with a poor prognosis is likely to cause many reactions to occur in the body as a whole. The areas in which an individual may be affected include the physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural responses in the body. The physical response relates to the body opposed to the mind. Emotional and cognitive responses are the mental processes of understanding through feelings as well as thought (Stevenson 2010). Finally the behavioural response is the manner of how they conduct themselves individually …show more content…
A new condition is frightening and those affected by it will face a series of new challenges (Richard C. Frank, 2009). There are eight stages of the ‘coping mechanism’ on how people deal with stress. The first stage is the anger and frustration. Thoughts such as ‘Why me?’ and ‘It’s not fair!’ are often associated with this initial stage (Thomas, 2013). These immediate reactions stimulate homeostasis triggering the adaptive response, which is the body’s way of maintaining an internal stable state. Hans Selye in 1936 characterised the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) which is the initial fight to restore homeostasis in regards to a stressor. After the individual has been diagnosed they will be in the ‘alarm phase’. This phase happens when the mind sensors a stressor such as a new diagnosis. The cerebral cortex triggers an autonomic nervous system response that prepares the body for action. This system activates body functions that are involuntary such as an increased heart rate (Harris, 2012). These cognitive responses can cause a disruption in behaviour affecting the way the individual interacts socially. To eliminate negative impacts counselling is strongly advised and joining health groups with people in similar