Does positive thinking help combat illness?

[Billysboots]

No, not Covid related, you’ll be pleased to hear!

I’m interested to hear the views of forum members, especially those in the medical profession, regarding positive thinking, and whether it really does help us when we are genuinely unwell.

As many here know, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the spring of 2021, and underwent a radical prostatectomy in the autumn. The early signs are that the surgery was successful.

I had another consultation with my surgeon this morning as I am taking part in a clinical trial to see if aspirin helps prevent a recurrence of prostate cancer. As part of the randomisation I have had (yet another!) full set of bloods taken. The surgeon said this morning that my bloods are absolutely textbook and that I have every reason to be delighted with my recovery.

It was at this point that a discussion began regarding positivity, and it’s impact. I told my surgeon that, very uncharacteristically for me, from the day of my diagnosis I was positivity personified. At no point did I worry, just getting on with life and regarding surgery as an inconvenience rather than something to be feared. My consultant said, after a quarter of a century treating prostate cancer sufferers, he is in absolutely no doubt that positivity makes an enormous difference to the outcome.

I have often heard it said remaining positive in times of serious illness is important, but have never heard a medic voice that opinion so emphatically. Has anyone here had any such experience when they think positivity has assisted their recovery, and what do the more knowledgeable amongst you think?

I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[fundy]

Best of luck with your recovery Billy.

Im not in the medical profession so feel free to ignore but a couple of books that I found worth reading:

You are the placebo by Joe Dispenza
The biology of belief by Bruce Lipton

 

[RichA]

I think that if you're positive, you're more likely to carry on life as normally as possible, so you might exercise and socialise - both good for your mental and physical health.
A negative person will obsess with their condition and stop doing normal stuff. Muscle tone disappears, mental activity reduces and mental health suffers.
This is just based on what I've seen in close friends and relatives.
I don't think positive thinking cures any ills, but it might slow progression or quicken recovery.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Absolutely believe in it, have a look at the following:
The Pain Habit: Your Journey To Recovery. Discover the Truth About Your Pain, by Drew Coverdale.
Available on Kindle for nowt.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not in our house.
My Mrs has beaten cancer three times in the last 30 years.
In her case courage is the answer, not positive thinking.

 

[chrisd]

I'll let you know on Monday after my consultant has ripped out my cancerous prostate with his bare hands.

 

[Billysboots]

I'll let you know on Monday after my consultant has ripped out my cancerous prostate with his bare hands.

Best of luck, Chris. Hope all goes well ?

 

[chrisd]

Best of luck, Chris. Hope all goes well ?

I'm sure it will Billy, I am of a positive disposition as you are. I'm just brassed off that my golf is affected. I have 2 vet 4bbb finals to play and am in the 4bbb quarter final of the main club winter league - any chance of being fit after 2 weeks ??

 

[Billysboots]

I'm sure it will Billy, I am of a positive disposition as you are. I'm just brassed off that my golf is affected. I have 2 vet 4bbb finals to play and am in the 4bbb quarter final of the main club winter league - any chance of being fit after 2 weeks ??

There’s a guy I read of claims to have played nine days after surgery. Put simply, I don’t believe him, not least because golf with a catheter might be a tad problematic ?.

But you’ll be back before you know it, swinging even smoother than before!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes very much so in answer to your OP

Positive thinking is crucial to help recovery to any mental issues after any illness or environment

when I was in the RAF I volunteered at the Combat Stress Centre in Newport

When speaking to the counsellors and being in the sessions with some of veterans and positivity and CBT was key for helping them recover and battle Combat Stress

It’s about training yourself to think differently and it’s very helpful in depression as well

It’s not the “chin up” or man up - it’s finding the outlook to think that things can and will get better

The power of positive thinking is huge

 

[chrisd]

There’s a guy I read of claims to have played nine days after surgery. Put simply, I don’t believe him, not least because golf with a catheter might be a tad problematic ?.

But you’ll be back before you know it, swinging even smoother than before!

I wouldn't believe it either, the catheter doesnt come out before 7 days and not generally after 10 days and most men are incontinent at the time its removed, but I'm sure you know that. I did play 9 holes 3 weeks after my first hip replacement and a full round 5 weeks after my second one!

 

[fundy]

I'll let you know on Monday after my consultant has ripped out my cancerous prostate with his bare hands.

fingers crossed all goes well Chris

 

[Billysboots]

Yes very much so in answer to your OP

Positive thinking is crucial to help recovery to any mental issues after any illness or environment

when I was in the RAF I volunteered at the Combat Stress Centre in Newport

When speaking to the counsellors and being in the sessions with some of veterans and positivity and CBT was key for helping them recover and battle Combat Stress

It’s about training yourself to think differently and it’s very helpful in depression as well

It’s not the “chin up” or man up - it’s finding the outlook to think that things can and will get better

The power of positive thinking is huge

I certainly think differently now, Phil, and have a different perspective on a lot of things. As I’ve said elsewhere, bad golf shots (and there can be a lot) no longer matter!

From a personal point of view, the one thing I have found difficult has been the response of others to my situation. They see me back on the golf course, swinging as wildly as I ever did, and in the clubhouse laughing and joking, thinking that I’m as good as new.

What they don’t realise is that this isn’t like a knee replacement (no offence intended to those with new knees), it is a whole world away, and they don’t see what, at times, is going on between the ears. And, at times, it is pretty dark.

But in my case I’m treating that as part of the new me, and my wider journey. It’s certainly been an interesting one!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I certainly think differently now, Phil, and have a different perspective on a lot of things. As I’ve said elsewhere, bad golf shots (and there can be a lot) no longer matter!

From a personal point of view, the one thing I have found difficult has been the response of others to my situation. They see me back on the golf course, swinging as wildly as I ever did, and in the clubhouse laughing and joking, thinking that I’m as good as new.

What they don’t realise is that this isn’t like a knee replacement (no offence intended to those with new knees), it is a whole world away, and they don’t see what, at times, is going on between the ears. And, at times, it is pretty dark.

But in my case I’m treating that as part of the new me, and my wider journey. It’s certainly been an interesting one!

Re the bit in bold, you need “Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect” - by Bob Rotella for that one.

 

[Billysboots]

Re the bit in bold, you need “Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect” - by Bob Rotella for that one.

An excellent read, Paul. ?

 

[babylonsinger]

As someone who has a long term illness or condition I think positivity is important - although don't do what I did early on and confuse positive thinking with failing to face the reality.

 

[jim8flog]

I would look at it coming from the other direction.

Being ill can cause depression and having depression will often stop a person from carrying on the normal things in life.

So fighting the depression with positive behaviour/ thinking e.g. making the effort can only be beneficial.

 

[Golfmmad]

You're certainly on the right track Billy - talking about your illness openly helps a great deal and together with your positive attitude are the first steps to a good recovery and getting back to as normal a life as possible.
From my point of view as soon as I knew something was being done about my obvious and worrying health problem, I felt so so much better! Which gets back to my opening point, once you start "talking" about it everything just seems much easier to cope with as you continue along your journey.
I wish you all the very best along the way. ?

 

[Hobbit]

A good CBT practitioner can make a huge difference. First one I saw didn’t make much difference. The second one, quite literally, saved my life.

 

[clubchamp98]

Being positive is everything.
It must be tough when it’s in the back of your mind.
My dad just gave up and went downhill rapidly.
A more positive attitude would have helped him live longer imo.

I am no expert but all the 100 yr olds you see on the news seem very positive.