Health insurance policies are expensive, so is there a way to prevent or treat pain yourself? Once diagnosed, some of the treatment may be under your control, if you have the right attitude. Medications may be necessary however, depending what the medical condition is, and one should not discard prescription medicine against doctor's advice.

There have been numerous studies conducted on optimism and pessimism, and the psychological effects they have on physical health. Scientists are always curious whether either mindset can be a used as a predictor or treatment for illnesses,or to prevent illness from developing. Some studies have shown that optimism has a positive effect on issues such as a shortened post surgical recovery time, and positive results have been reported by optimistic college students who claim they suffer from less stress during exam periods. Despite these glowing reports of better physical and psychological health, some studies show that optimism and pessimism are not necessarily oppositional traits; in fact one of them has a far greater correlation to physical health than the other.

In a controlled study of 400 older communal residents who suffered from knee pain, it was determined that the pessimism rather than optimism had a far stronger relationship with physical functioning (Brenes, Rapp, Rejeski, & Miller, 2002). The study also "strengthens the argument that optimism and pessimism are not simply polar opposites of the same trait, but distinct, orthogonal dimensions as suggested by some" (Mroczek et al., 1993; Scheier et al., 1994, p. 1). Note; the study sample was random, although it did take into acount that medications and pre-existing ailments were present in some subjects.

So what is it that makes pessimistic people behave in a manner which is conducive to feeling, or even producing pain? Perhaps one who is pessimistic is more likely to tolerate physical pain, and they hold the attitude that nothing can be done to heal them. On the other hand, it would make sense that one who is optimistic would tolerate the pain, as well as seeking medical attention. If such a study permits one to readily predict a physical performance by someone who is pessimistic, there must be a way to modify behaviors or perceptions so that a more desirable outcome can be achieved. Does this mean we can teach someone to become optimistic? Not necessarily, however, "helping individuals to identify and modify erroneous beliefs and expectations may improve their functional level"(Beck et al., 1979, p. 229).

The outcome of the performance study on those who suffered knee pain may not be so surprising after all. Contractor, John Mulherin (2008) told me that although he considers himself to be optimistic most of the time; he believes that a situation can be the main predictor of the outcome he will achieve at his job. "If I go to work and it is a windy morning, the thought of being 80ft. in the air, hanging from a crane and welding is not something I feel good about." He reported that on those days when he expected a less than satisfactory outcome, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Despite the results so far, being optimism does have its benefits. Those who felt more optimistic during pregnancy, were found to be less susceptible to depressive symptoms postpartum, than those who felt pessimistic (Grote K, Bledsoe S.E., 2005). Adjusting to both physical and mental changes during pregnancy can be difficult at the best of times. For expectant Mothers who are confronted by other stressors during this time, it is probable that postpartum depression can be predicted by the level of optimism and healthy coping strategies used during pregnancy.

In their paper, Grote and Bledsoe (2005) also noted that "regardless of whether depression is assessed by self-report or diagnostic criteria, depression during pregnancy has been repeatedly demonstrated to be one of the strongest predictors of postpartum depression in several studies" (O'Hara & Swain,1996, p.2).

Ordinarily, one would assume that those who are optimistic are more inclined to take a proactive approach to a task, and that this extra effort could be used as a predictor of a favorable outcome. However, consider also that a perceived good or bad situation may dictate one's level of optimism or pessimism and subsequent outcomes, and not the other way around. Could it be that the people observed in studies such as the one conducted on the elderly residents with knee pain reported being pessimistic and feeling more pain because they knew attention was focused on them at the time?

After carefully reviewing studies on optimism and pessimism, is it safe to conclude that fostering an optimistic attitude is more beneficial to one's sense of wellbeing, than not. No matter how many variables or what the outcome, psychological and physical health can be dealt with more readily if one is optimistic. An optimist is more likely to seek medical or psychological treatment, and therefore, better equipped with knowledge or biomedical therapy to deal with any setbacks. Moreover, such setbacks would be perceived as temporary, and in turn would guarantee a far better outcome.

The correlation between pessimism and physical health was documented during one study presented; the same was shown to be true for the relationship between optimism and a lack of postpartum depression or psychoses. Psychological illness can also cause physical illness, and because anxiety and optimism cannot co-exist, it makes sense that an optimistic attitude could provide the best preventive medicine possible!

References

Brenes, G., Rapp, S., Rejeski, W., & Miller, M. (2002, June). Do optimism and pessimism predict physical functioning? Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25(3), 219-231. Retrieved December 7, 2008, from EBSCOHost Database.

Grote, N., & Bledsoe, S. (2007, May). Predicting Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in New Mothers: The Role of Optimism and Stress Frequency during Pregnancy. Health & Social Work, 32(2), 107-118. Retrieved December 7, 2008, from EBSCOHost Database.