Which came first? Chicken v. egg question.

[Anna Flaxis]

I've noticed that a significant proportion of those I care for who suffer from long term, chronic illness often demonstrate impaired coping ability.

This has led me to wonder, which came first? Does the very nature of chronic illness wear down a person's ability to cope, or were there coping deficits already present in that person's makeup that are simply accentuated by their circumstances?

Is this a statement about our society in general and how little support is available to these individuals and families, leading to impaired coping, or is there some sort of correlation (like Type A personality having increased risk of MI) between poor coping and an increased risk of developing chronic illness?

Is it more complex than that?

I don't mean to be insulting, as I know there are several members here on AN who deal with chronic illness, and I can imagine that it is very difficult. That's why I posted this question here on AN, just to see if anyone else has wondered this same thing, and if so, what conclusions you have drawn?

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Oh, don't be so literal! It's just an expression!

*** I know, my comment was said with tongue in cheek.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

As my 15 year old daughter once told me (before I became a fan of child abuse) "Dad, mammals were laying eggs for many thousands of years before chickens appeared."

Sad isn't it that towards the end of life either the body or the mind goes down hill much faster than the other.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

*** I know, my comment was said with tongue in cheek.

Oh, I figured as much! I was just poking at you a little.:)