Experiences of self‐blame and stigmatisation for self‐infliction among individuals living with COPD

Abstract

This study illuminates the challenge of how to combine health advice on smoking cessation with nonblaming psycho-social support throughout the course of COPD. An awareness of the potential for stigma, the nature of nicotine dependence and broadened causal explanations for the disease may improve the ability of caregivers to address patient strain and its negative association with coping and well-being. Dilemmas in health communication concerning COPD patients' experience of stigma and negative emotional response should be further explored.

Smoking addiction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…31,37 In many instances, smokers with COPD are confronted with negative attitudes because their disease is ''self-inflicted.'' 10 In this way, smoking may cause isolation from other people who show little understanding of the power of nicotine addiction. This may in turn contribute to further withdrawal from other people, leading COPD patients into the realm where the cigarette is perceived as a ''dear friend.''…”

“…32 To acknowledge that one has only oneself to blame for having developed COPD may be a painful experience. 10,33 In the initial stages of COPD, this feeling of self-blame may also prevent people from seeking professional help. 34,35 People may make many excuses to smoke just one more cigarette.…”

“…38,39 Others may lack incentives to stop smoking because the lung disease is already established (p. 299) 36 and may put great effort into finding contributory factors for the development of COPD other than smoking such as pollution or the work environment. 9,10,39 The various excuses mobilized to assist in relieving unbearable feelings can be regarded as having self-protective properties. 31,37 In many instances, smokers with COPD are confronted with negative attitudes because their disease is ''self-inflicted.''…”

“…8 This, however, is easier said than done and may create tensions in the way that COPD patients who smoke interact with other people. 9,10 Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology provides a philosophical framework that can be used to convey an understanding of how nicotine addiction alters the freedom and the functioning of the individual with COPD. 11 For Merleau-Ponty, the body is the perceptual nexus that unites the individual with the environment.…”

COPD-Patients adherence to care and quality of counseling

“…[8,9] Experiences of self-blame can prevent patients avoiding seeking help and both negative physical and emotional responses. [10] The most common distressing symptoms associated with COPD are breathlessness and fatigue, which limit the patient's activities of daily life. [5,11] Breathlessness can be frightening and frustrating, its may led to social isolation.…”