A person diagnosed with arthritis is in most cases confronted with a lifelong chronic disease. Arthritis often follows an unpredictable course with an uncertain future. Patients are faced with many life changes and cannot help but respond to each new situation emotionally. Many patients claim that the mental pain and emotional turmoil caused by this chronic illness are worse than the physical pain. This article presents developmental models to enhance the health care professional's understanding of the emotional needs of the patient with arthritis.
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