Reframing Reality

Comorbidity refers to the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient. Common comorbidities include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, dementia, and cancer. These are often described as pre-existing clinical conditions that require extra caution when assessing a patient’s health trajectory.

Reframing aligns with the concept of cognitive restructuring. It is a psychological technique that involves identifying and then changing the way situations, experiences, events, ideas, and emotions are perceived. However, caution is necessary here — without proper professional guidance, one may enter the realm of reality distortion.

An unhealthy example of reframing is excessive mentalisation. Many people engage in this because they believe that fixating on the details of a particular issue — such as a deadline — makes them more productive, when in reality, they are avoiding their emotions.

A more humorous example is reminiscent of old Chaves episodes, where a child would refuse to share their sweets with Chaves, prompting him to respond, “I didn’t want it anyway.” While this may seem like a harmless form of self-consolation, in adulthood, it is always worth questioning whether we are avoiding persistence and determination simply to take the easier path due to anxiety.

Returning to comorbidity, one common misconception is its unfortunate link with fatalism. This is especially damaging when someone convinces themselves that seeking treatment is pointless because a family member or friend did not improve. Ignoring the fact that medicine is constantly evolving is hardly a sign of mental clarity.

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