The difficult patient!

OK, my real question is this:

A friend of the family’s has severe heart disease. In the last few weeks, he’s suffered a heart attack after 2 stents were put in. He’s been off work for several years due to repeat issues and is in his early 50s. Definitely overweight, sedentary lifestyle and food control is zero.

So I was talking to the wife and she tells me that he is a difficult man when it comes to food. Despite his issues, he has no control over his appetite.

Do you think he needs counseling? He doesn’t seem to understand that by cutting back, he can bring back some quality in his life and at least let his family be a bit more relaxed. How do you deal with such patients?

Re: The difficult patient!

He probably has some deeper issues, either surrounding food and meal times, or he has issues surrounding self worth or a bit of both.

Counselling would probably be a good step to take.

Re: The difficult patient!

^agreed! there is most likely some underlying issue and is turning to food for comfort. its becoming more and more common sadly

Re: The difficult patient!

The problem is more common than we think.:(

Is it that hard to resist temptation?

Re: The difficult patient!

Got to agree with Inspiron and Express. He needs counseling - someone to help him sort through what actually troubles him deep down.

For a lot of folks, if they are made to realize that if they take good care of their health, their loved ones will not have to waste away their lives by looking after them, they will stop their poor habits- even if they dont have self respect, they will not want to deliberately hurt their family.

Re: The difficult patient!

While i agree that genetics has a part to play in your overall health and fitness, that shouldnt be used as an excuse to not excercise. Im living proof of that, i use to be on the chubby side and now i get comments saying that i look underweight now lmao

Re: The difficult patient!

I love food and I also have lost over 30lbs from pure determination. I dont feel full easily and really really enjoy food.

But from a little help from this forum, friends and the thing in between my ears I was able to do it. Mainly from portion control and changing my food habits.

Also does the wife cook for him?

Re: The difficult patient!

Yes, The wife cooks. She tries to stick to fish and veggies, but the husband needs red meat salan that is spicy and salty.

Re: The difficult patient!

Well he doesnt need it he wants it.

Maybe the wife should a slightly firmer hand and also encourage some counselling.

Re: The difficult patient!

maybe he should lay off the salt

Re: The difficult patient!

She's trying to work with him using different approaches..guilt trips, health education, Allah ka khauf, etc etc... but the dude is like, I'll die when I die. It's quite devastating for the family.

If only someone could talk to him. I can't believe food has so much influence.

Re: The difficult patient!

"I'll die when I die" that DEFINETLY means something else is bothering him. Can you think of anything at all thats troubling him?? marital problems?? financial difficulty??

Re: The difficult patient!

You think?

Re: The difficult patient!

yeah. When someone says something like that, its an admission of defeat. Its like it almost becomes a self fulfilling prophecy

Re: The difficult patient!

all i can say is just keep a really close eye on him.

Re: The difficult patient!

these two things will probs be counter productive, negative emotions lead to negative actions - any form of guilt tripping, bargaining, threatening just may have a worse effect.

He will shut down and be apathetic and antagonistic about things.

What kind of diet does the wife have? when did the weight gain start?

Re: The difficult patient!

The wife can eat anything. She is pretty alright in terms of her own eating habits and weight. He has been like this always. As far as we can remember. Always loved to indulge in savory and spicy foods, freshly made on order every single day. No bread for breakfast...yes you guessed it, parathey.

Re: The difficult patient!

Is he always stuck in the house?? does he interact with others much??

Re: The difficult patient!

They do have an active social life, are great people, great service to the community, very nice folks. Kids are doing well as well.

Re: The difficult patient!

Ok first thing I have to say, is thet - the whole family needs to change their lifestyle including the wife. When it comes to one member of the family losing weight one of the worst worst worst things is one member eating a cake and then serving the other a carrot, it gives the wrong message and just doesnt work.

I am no expert but worked for a summer in a weight loss clinic and just remembering some experience from there in terms of psychological aspects and one of the things that was really emphasised is the whole family change their lifestyle and it had positive results.

Hmmmm do you know if he was overweight from childhood? does the man get teased about weight?

has he had his thyroid checked?