Behavioral Medicine: Some Real World Applications

Post date: Oct 18, 2016 7:15:50 AM

Behavioral medicine combines concepts learned from studying medicine and psychology. The primary thrust for behavioral medicine is to use information gathered from the study of biology, human behavior, psychology, and social sciences, which are connected to the well-being of an individual. Behavioral medicine is a lot more complicated than it sounds. In fact, in order to practice it, the practitioner should have a firm grasp on knowledge taken from at least 10 different disciplines. Some of these disciplines include neuroanatomy, anthropology, pharmacology, endocrinology, and immunology, among others.

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In addition to focusing on health psychology, behavioral medicine practitioners also use psychophysiological methods like hypnosis and biofeedback. Behavioral medicine also has a strong hand in occupational therapy and rehab medicine.

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In the real world, behavioral medicine is very much in demand. For example, in the United States, a lot of people seeking help due to their health issues have as the cause, behavioral problems rather than physiological. A great example of this would be with drug addicts and alcoholics. The cause of their substance abuse isn’t physical. (Please remove the text in the RED block.) Looking back at most of those with drug or drinking problems, more often than not, they lead a sedentary lifestyle, which is caused by smoking, and the lack of motivation to get healthier.

Social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, and people in similar occupations all practice behavioral medicine, striving to change behaviors in people in hopes to resolve their health issues.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is a neuroengineer. He also has a background in several disciplines. One of these disciplines is behavioral medicine. Dr. Cripe currently leads the research and development department of NTLgroup®. To learn more about Dr. Cripe, the work he does, and behavioral medicine, visit this blog.