SOC 313 Week 1 DQ Psychosocial Issues in Huntington’s Disease

Psychosocial Issues in Huntington’s Disease. Discuss psychosocial issues in Huntington’s disease. Some of the issues may be from the following list. Use at least 3 of the following or 3 of your own, and provide a resource for your findings. Respond to at least one other student in an evaluative or informative manner, not by stating “I agree.”

a. Individuals and their families must cope with continuing losses, both physical and mental, as the condition progresses.

b. The cognitive and behavioral changes for affected individuals may make it more difficult for them to cope.

c. Individuals and family members may feel helpless and hopeless.

d. Faulty judgment and impulsivity related to behavioral changes may result in unsafe situations for the individual.

e. As the condition progresses, individuals become less able to care for themselves and thus become more dependent on others.

f. As communication becomes more difficult, social interactions also become more difficult, resulting in increasing social isolation.

g. Personality changes that may produce violent or hostile behaviors may stress support systems.

h. Because Huntington’s disease has a genetic component, family members may seek out genetic counseling to determine if they carry the Huntington gene and may want to make decisions related to pregnancy.