Michael H. Antoni – författare

Living with HIV can be stressful, which can affect both your emotional and physical well-being. You may feel a loss of control over your life, socially isolated, or anxious and depressed. Studies have shown that prolonged stress can negatively impact the immune system, making it less effective in fighting illness. If you are concerned about the impact stress has on your life and on your health, this book can help you learn to relax and manage stress more effectively.This book presents a group treatment program that has been scientifically proven to reduce stress in individuals living with HIV. Written by the developers of this groundbreaking program, this workbook is based on the principles of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM). You will learn a variety of relaxation techniques, all designed to help you reduce tension and stress. As you become more aware of stress and its effects, stress management skills will increase your ability to cope.This workbook comes complete with user-friendly monitoring forms and homework exercises designed to help reinforce the skills learned in group. It also includes instructions for relaxation practice that will remain useful long after you've completed the program. Used in conjunction with the group program described in the corresponding facilitator guide, this workbook will help you successfully manage stress and lead a more healthy life.

For individuals living with HIV, stress can have a critical impact on emotional and physical well-being. Many HIV-infected individuals feel a loss of control over their lives, experience social isolation, and may suffer from anxiety and depression. Stress has been shown to decrease immune functioning, which is a significant concern for HIV-infected individuals.Written by the developer of the treatment, this manual presents an empirically supported, group treatment program that teaches HIV-infected individuals how to manage their stress. This comprehensive Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) program combines stress management with relaxation training. Each group meeting introduces a new relaxation method, such as progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and meditation. Stress management skills build on one another and include cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, and establishing a strong social network. By the end of the program, participants are equipped with a variety of inter-related techniques that they can use to reduce stress and improve their quality of life.The guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding workbook, which provides exercises to be completed in session, monitoring forms, and homework assignments. Together they include all the material and information needed to effectively implement this program.

Men treated for localized prostate cancer have an excellent medical prognosis, but may have difficulty in readjusting to life after surgery as a result of treatment related side effects. Changes in physical functioning and ongoing PSA monitoring due to the possibility of recurrence may bring added stress. Effective stress management is a key factor in increasing quality of life in this population and may play a role in maintaining overall health.Cognitive Behavioral Stess Management (CBSM) and relaxation training consitute the two components of this comprehensive program. Each session provides participants with stress management skills, including cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, and social support. Participants practice a variety of relaxation methods, such as progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and meditation. Relevant issues for men having had prostate cancer, such as sexuality and communication, are also addressed.This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding workbook, which includes in-session exercises, monitoring forms, and homework assignments. Group meetings combined with home practice facilitate the application of effective stress management and relaxation techniques to the everyday lives of participants. Together, the guide and workbook include all the material and information needed to successfully implement this program.

After surgery for localized prostate cancer, you may find that treatment related side effects may lead to some difficulty readjusting to everyday life. You may notice an increase in your stress levels or experience problems in your relationships. Even though you may be physically healthy, you may need to work on improving your quality of life. Effective stress management may also help maintain your overall health.In this group program, you will learn skills to effectively manage your stress. These skills can be used to cope with stressful situations related to having had prostate cancer or with any other situation that may cause stress. You will address issues such as dealing with physical changes or communicating with your partner. Each group meeting also includes training in a relaxation method in order to help you reduce tension and stress. By the end of the program, you will have a variety of techniques to choose from.This workbook comes complete with homework exercises and monitoring forms to help you apply your new stress management skills. It also includes instructions for relaxation practice that will remain useful long after you've completed the program. Used in conjunction with the group program described in the corresponding facilitator guide, this workbook will help you better your life.

The idea that people experience positive change through their struggles with adversity is very old. However, only recently has this idea generated widespread empirical research attention.People often claim to experience improved relationships with family and friends, a clearer sense of their own strengths and resilience, changed priorities about what is important in life, and various other positive changes after struggling with stressful or traumatic events. What are we to make of these claims? Can we determine whether perceptions of change reflect real, varifiable change - that is, is it possible for someone to believe that he or she has grown while still exhibiting the same old self-defeating thoughts and behaviors? Or, is the perception of change itself an important meaning reconstruction process? What factors influence personal growth, and what effect does growth have on physical and mental health?This book examines these issues in-depth and draws out implications for research and clinical practice. Because medical illness has been one of the primary contexts in which researchers have studied the phenomenon of positive life change, this book focuses on how positive life change might be fostered in the context of medical illness.