Serious self-analysis can improve patient lifestyles Breathe Easy members told

Following a 15-minute warm-up of pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, guest speaker, Dr Reggie McAuley, General Practitioner, Kilrea Health Centre, challenged members to embrace the concept of ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’, or, in other words, critical self-analysis.

Dr. McAuley said patients should use all their resources, not just thoughts, to improve the quality of their lives, thereby easing the severity of their condition.

He said: “Patients, including those battling COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – can improve their well-being by tackling the problem both psychologically and physically.”

“Knowledge of CBT can result in tremendous benefits. I challenge everyone, no matter how sceptical, to embrace CBT, or even consider investigating what it is and what it can achieve.”

Mrs. Nessie Blair MBE, Northern Ireland British Lung Foundation Development Officer, encouraged members to take part in Pulmonary Maintenance classes being organised jointly by the Northern Health Trust and local Councils at Coleraine Leisure Centre, Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney, and the Sheskburn Recreation Centre, Ballycastle.

The contact person is Mr, Paul Johnston, Respiratory Support Worker, Rathlea House, Mountfern Complex, 8a Rugby Avenue, Coleraine. Telephone: 02870347883. Or email: [email protected].

At the May meeting members stood in silence in memory of their esteemed member, Mrs. Betty Anderson, who died on Friday, 12 April. Members were in attendance at the funeral service at Killowen Parish Church on Thursday, 18 April.