Example Of Essay On Change Of Self

In the article Loss of Self: a Fundamental Form of Suffering in the Chronically Ill, Charmaz (1983) describes a chronically ill person as an individual who diminish his self identity as he suffers from his illness. How does the loss of self develop? What are the factors that contribute to this problem? The author addresses these questions by analyzing the sources and looking at the daily lives of the chronically ill people.
In the study that was conducted, Charmaz (1983) found that the loss of self is a result of the problems encountered by the patients and the image that are given to them. Because of the illness, the patients are given many restrictions. One of these restrictions is not being able to do work. This problem makes the patient unable to support his financial needs and make them more dependent on others especially on their families. Another restriction is being isolated from other people. The illness makes it hard for patient to socialize and participate at social activities. The patients can also suffer from social isolation because of the image that are given to them. Some people are afraid to go near them due to the fear that they might also acquire the illness.
The restrictions experienced by the patients make them to live a life that is different to what they used to have. From living a positive and active life, they become dependent and lose control over their life. Gradually they lose their self-identity as they are unable to do what they used to when they are still well. Also, they become too self-conscious and the illness consumes them making them to pity themselves.

References

Charmaz, K. (1983). Loss of self: A fundamental form of suffering in the chronically ill.
Sociology of Health & Illness, 5(2), 168-195. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.ep10491512