This document provides an introduction to health psychology. It defines health psychology as the study of psychological and behavioral processes related to health, illness, and healthcare. Health psychology focuses on understanding how biological, psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence health and illness. The document discusses how lifestyle and unhealthy behaviors can impact serious illnesses. It also explains that health psychologists study how people react to, cope with, and recover from illness in order to promote health and prevent disease.

1. DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
Government College Women University Faisalabad

2. Course Code:
PSY-508
Credit Hours: 3 (3-0)
Health
Psychology

3. Instructor:
Ms. Maryam Shahzadi
Introduction
to Health
Psychology

4. In this lecture we’ll study:
● Definition of Health
Psychology
● Health and Psychology
● Health and Ilnness
● Illness and related factors

6. Health
Psychology
Health psychology is a
specialty area that focuses
on how biology, psychology,
behavior, and social factors
influence health and illness.

7. Definition of Health Psychology
Health psychology is the study of psychological and behavioral
processes in health, illness, and healthcare. It is concerned with
understanding how psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors
contribute to physical health and illness. Health psychology is
focused on understanding how factors contribute to health and
wellness.

8. Definition of Health Psychology
Health psychology also called as behavioral medicine. Behavioral
medicine is interdisciplinary field including both medicine and
psychology
It deals with the subject of health and illness by merging all
knowledge of biological, behavioral, social and psychological
sciences. Health psychology is basically applying the psychological
theory to health related practices.

9. Conti..
Its practitioners work to promote health and prevent illness and disease. To
do so, health psychologists study how people react, cope with, and recover
from illness. By observing behavioral patterns that may lead to disease or
death, health psychologists strive to help people live healthier, longer lives.

10. Health and Psychology
When everything else goes wrong, if we have good health, we can move on
to the next phase of our life with confidence and optimism.
Sometimes, you may need help preventing, dealing with, or recovering
from illness. When you do, a health psychologist is a good resource to call
on. Understanding an accurate health psychology definition is a good
starting point to determine whether a health psychologist can help you now.

11. Health and Psychology
The perception of Health also has become changed as
health is not just being away from diseases but it is overall
positive well being.
These concepts led researchers to further focus on healthy
behaviors and lifestyle of people, generally. Psychology as
a science of behavior has much to contribute to the field of
health psychology. It has become a fast growing area
within clinical psychology.

12. Health and Psychology
Health psychology is a rapidly growing field. As
increasing numbers of people seek to take control of
their own health, more and more people are seeking
health-related information and resources. Health
psychologists are focused on educating people about
their own health and well-being, so they are perfectly
suited to fill this rising demand.

13. Health and Illness
It is understood now that life style has a great impact on health and
overall well-being of a person. Many of the health problems related to
some serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease etc are due to
unhealthy behavior or lifestyle choices an individual makes (e.g
smoking or overeating).

14. Health and Illness
Health and illness are influenced by a wide variety of
factors. While contagious and hereditary illness are
common, many behavioral and psychological factors
can impact overall physical well-being and various
medical conditions.
The field of health psychology is focused on promoting
health as well as the prevention and treatment of
disease and illness

15. Health and Illness
Health psychologists also focus on understanding how
people react to, cope with, and recover from illness.
Some health psychologists work to improve the health
care system and the government's approach to health
care policy.

16. Illnesses Related to Psychological and Behavioral Factors
● Stroke
● Heart disease
● HIV/AIDS
● Cancer
● Birth defects and infant mortality
● Infectious diseases

17. End of Slides
Class Discussion