Health Psychology

Health and illness are the products of a combination of factors including biological characteristics (such as genetic predisposition), behavioral factors (such as lifestyle and stress), and social conditions (such as family relationships and social support).

Psychologists who strive to understand how biological, behavioral, and social factors influence health and illness are called health psychologists. The term "health psychology" is often interchanged with the terms "behavioral medicine" or "medical psychology".

Typically, health psychologist undergo advanced training in medical and paramedical fields.

In contemporary medical settings, health psychologists are routinely involved in the provision of a number of health services such as:

Pain Management
Weight Management
Surgical Evaluation and Preparation
Management of Long-Term Illnesses (such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. )
Smoking Cessation
Sleep Disorders
Substance Abuse

For more information, visit www.health-psych.org