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Our thoughts are changing day by day, but belief systems are not so flexible and usually resist even positive changes. Various belief systems interact with each other and construct our webs of belief and, consequently, our forms of life. Our beliefs are vastly heterogeneous, from the delusional to the experimental, and the amazing fact is that an irrational or bizarre belief may overcome plenty of concordant rational beliefs even from our responses in a maladaptive manner. Various health beliefs such as "depression is a disease", "my illness is due to evil eye", "my spouse's behavior is the cause of my anxiety", 'smoking is an unhealthy behavior", "energy enhancement of kidney meridian cooks ameliorate glomerohephritis", and "I can control my pain" could be categorized in sociocultural, individual, and healing belief systems. The examples mentioned demonstrate some of the different beliefs which are aroused from various healing systems (biomedicine, acupuncture), subcultures (transitional, modern) and personal belief systems. Each of these beliefs, separately and/or in interaction with other beliefs, can determine our locus of control, self-efficacy, coping strategies and expectations, ultimately changing our illness behavior and psychoneuroimmonologic responses.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35092-9_4

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