Is your Health Glass Half Empty?

By Dr Irwin Lim

My mother-in-law is the most optimistic person I have met. She always sees the brighter side of life even when clouds are overhead and the cliff edge is close. Her glass is always half full. I think this helps her cope amazingly well but I fear that it also means a blinkered view of life.

I am, for better or worse, a glass half empty-type of person. I seem to include the worse case scenario in my decision making.

Optimism vs Pessimism.

In coping with a chronic disease, which is a better personality trait?

Is being positive about the health situation, even if that positivity leads to unrealistic expectations, a useful coping mechanism? Does having faith in a positive outcome help recovery or influence the eventual outcome?

Being negative would seem to be a bad character trait when it comes to dealing with a chronic disease. But, is it? By considering a poor outcome, will a patient be driven to be more compliant with treatment or to be more open to difficult lifestyle changes?

Some middle ground with a balanced approach is likely to be better.

I’d really be interested in your views.

Dr Irwin Lim is a rheumatologist and a director of BJC Health.

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