In a new study, forthcoming in Basic and Applied Social Psychology, the researchers expand on that work to figure out why people react either positively or negatively to doctor-induced guilt. The initial study saw that 45 percent of people who felt shame made questionable health choices as a result—lying to their doctors, avoiding them, or even quitting treatment with them. But 33 percent saw the shame as a motivator, and tried to improve their health as a result.

cgod:

I'm more honest with doctors than pretty much every one else in my life in regarding booze, drugs, diet or exercise. I tell them what I'm willing to work on and what they shouldn't nag me about. They seem to take it pretty well. They always say a few things about the stuff I mention isn't going to change but it's not a bummer. They have a job to do and I respect that. They have no real power over the decisions I'm going to make aside from change my behavior by informing me of possible risks.

I've had some incompetent doctors in my day, who have made me much sicker than I ever would have become if they hadn't treated me. This might contribute to my not really giving a shit about doctors opinions.

posted 3739 days ago