Psychosocial trauma, defense strategies and treatment considerations in cancer patients and their families

Abstract

The psychosocial impact of cancer on the patient and the family can be almost as traumatic as the physical effects. Realistic as well as unrealistic stresses and fears are aroused which can overwhelm the individuals who have to cope with them. The patient and family must deal with marked changes in the family structure, feelings of isolation and loneliness, helplessness, and dependence on others. Because the affects associated with cancer are so painful, the utilization of defense strategies is particularly excessive and pervasive in this clinical population. Defense mechanisms such as denial, isolation of affect and rationalization are discussed. Group treatment is especially effective because of certain curative factors intrinsic to the group experience, such as instillation of hope, universality and cohesiveness, that allow the group members to lower their defensiveness and deal more adoptively with their emotional and environmental stresses.