پردازش عاطفی مقابله با بیماری در مراحل اولیه ضایعات مغزی اکتسابی

Neurological diseases-whether with or without cerebral lesions-have, in many cases, a traumatic character because of their often abrupt beginning. The physical and/or mental handicaps that appear suddenly with the onset of the disease, and remain forever, are often perceived as a deeply insulting humiliation. Very grave injuries, like cerebrocranial traumata after traffic accidents, can mean complete breakdown of all functions of the self. Therefore, in many cases, a whole new identity has to be constructed (Sacks, 1984). In most cases of illness with chronic disablement, the task is to learn to live with them, a task that requires a complete re-orientation of lifestyle, including a new concept of life (Beutel, 1988). To prevent later phases of depression and apathy (Kast, 1986), it seems necessary to accompany the patient as early as possible during this process of coming to terms with the disease.