Fatima's Case Study

Alonda Sims
Instructor: Amber Popovitz-Gale
PSYC 1111
April 19, 2018

Fatima is a 30-year-old single mother of two young children, who works fifty hour weeks to support and care for her family with little time to relax. Fatima does not smoke. However, she cannot afford fresh fruits and vegetables for dinner so the family eats processed foods, such as boxed macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza, very often. One day, Fatima fainted and was diagnosed with hypertension. She has long suffered from fatigue and the occasional chest pain but could not afford to go to the doctor. Therefore, I will discuss stress as a major relating factor to Fatima’s diagnosis of hypertension as it relates to the various models, according to Dr. Jane Ogden, in Health

In Fatima’s case, the psychological factors are her belief that she cannot afford fresh fruits and veggies, not having proper time to relax, eating only processed foods, overworking herself by working fifty-hour work weeks, and not going to a doctor concerning symptoms she was having. The recognition of a role for behavior in the cause of illness means that the individual may be held responsible for their health and illness (Ogden, 2017). In order to treat the illness, Fatima must find ways to change her behaviors and ways of thinking in order to be healthy despite her busy lifestyle. Health psychology regards psychological factors not only as possible consequences of illness but as contributing to it at all stages along the continuum from healthy through to being ill (Ogden, 2017). Daily stress involving conflicts, loneliness and financial crises can

Being a single mother of two young children is not an easy job by far. Especially when you have to work over fifty hours a week in order to support them and yourself. On top of being stressed and tired I could only imagine the guilt that Fatima probably felt not being able to spend enough time with her children due to work. I can relate to her situation because I find myself in a similar situation. However, it is important that Fatima takes care of herself y getting the proper rest and nutrition in order for her to stay healthy. Fatima will also need to ensure that her young children gets the proper nutrition so they will remain health. I am sure Fatima feels she is doing the best job she can with her children but good health is the ultimate goal. It will not be enough for Fatima to just treat her individual symptoms. According to Dr. Jane Ogden, the whole body must be treated. Therefore, behavioral changes are a must to ensure the health of Fatima and her