ABSTRACT

In addition to mental illness, there are other illnesses that are less evident to persons who have them. Pervasive illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive stress, and substance addictions are not always recognized by patients as illnesses. Other diseases such as cancer and AIDS may lie dormant within a person for quite some time before one becomes aware of its presence. It is crucial for persons engaged in hospital ministry to understand the event known as “hospitalization,” and the meanings generated and associated with this event. Often, all of these associated event-meanings are found in the images patients use to describe their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences. Working with such images, one can assess how a patient is understanding his or her illness and health issues, and help that person take necessary steps to move toward healing and recovery with a greater sense of well-being.