Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for chronic illness when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Chronic Illness
People with chronic illness are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar chronic illness patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Chronic Illness Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about chronic illness treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of chronic illness ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with chronic illness
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing chronic illness
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to chronic illness recovery
MI in Chronic Illness Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many chronic illness treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.