Coping becomes an imperative aspect when living with a chronic disease. A second interview was conducted with my client who can be identified as ‘J.F’. A series of questions were generated to investigate what coping mechanisms were effective and non-effective for J.F, who presents with multiple sclerosis. Discussing with J.F, he described how he turned to avoidance when he was first diagnosed with his chronic illness. Related to Pakenham (2006), J.F avoided bad news as much as he could by “turning the radio up” and listening to his favourite artists Bon Jovi and Bruce releasing the negative energy. Pakenham (2006) states, “avoidance coping to be strongly related to negative mood” (Pakenham, 2006, p. 645). J.F explained that during his progression using avoidance impacted his life negatively because he always felt negative and became less interested in himself. Stress also affected him as he was in his appointments and said that he would not eat when stress was present in his life. When asking J.F how disease affected the his relationships with anyone he explained how he did not want to express genuine interest to anyone. He pushed everyone away so he did not have to worry about displaying feelings. As McCabe and Di Battista (2004) discussed “people with MS reported lower levels of self-esteem”
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He states that himself and his ex-wife K.F, still have a strong “alliance” with each other even though they were divorced due to his illness. During his progression she was “always under his nose” and made sure he was not doing something that could get himself hurt. He said she has always been there for him and still continues to be because she visits him three times a week. “Couples coping with MS having greater acceptance protects individuals fro depression when in the context of lower partner acceptance” (Pakenham and Samios, 2013, p. 397). K.F is an important part of J.F’s life as she supports him and she means everything to
He states that himself and his ex-wife K.F, still have a strong “alliance” with each other even though they were divorced due to his illness. During his progression she was “always under his nose” and made sure he was not doing something that could get himself hurt. He said she has always been there for him and still continues to be because she visits him three times a week. “Couples coping with MS having greater acceptance protects individuals fro depression when in the context of lower partner acceptance” (Pakenham and Samios, 2013, p. 397). K.F is an important part of J.F’s life as she supports him and she means everything to