Clarifying the role of positive thinking

It has been my experience that newly-diagnosed patients can benefit from a combination of optimism and realism as they cope with their diagnosis and make treatment decisions.  What concerns me is when I see patients who insist that they have to ‘think positive’ to the extent that they also deny the other emotions that they may be experinecing — anger, sadness, fear.  Denial of feelings doesn’t lead to a magical cure.  Worse yet, insistence on positive thinking implies that individuals are responsible for making themselves sick, and thinking themselves better, which medical research doesn’t support.  However, talking with a mental health professional, getting support from family and friends, and seeking a greater purpose in life can certainly contribute to increased quality of life.