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by ekanes
976 days ago
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Fantastic point - basically it'd be great to know how much it matters that the patient "fights". I do disagree that, "Willing someone to "fight" a cellular process within their body probably isn't going to help them..." in that we have some evidence that the mind can affect the body a fair bit, everything from the effectiveness of placebos to control of autonomic states. Who knows if one could rally better cellular defenses by feeling aggressive and active. One would be much more likely to stave off depression, which is caused by helplessness, especially if one doesn't have a higher power concept in their life that they could accept is in control. |
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I don't think believing in metaphysical beings provides any protection against depression. Espcially if you're facing problems you can't solve (i.e. helpless), and your chosen being doesn't come up with the goods. And "in the middle of cancer treatment" would be a bad time to lose your religion.