INFLUENCE OF THE PATHOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE OF CANCER-PATIENTS ON THEIR DECISIONS

The diagnosis of cancer in many cases provokes a crisis, resulting in an increase of regression and defence mechanisms (splitting, projectiv e identification, projection, denial, repression). This article review s the increased sensitivity, the partial and temporary narrowing of co nsciousness, and the weakening of reality control. In many cases fluct uating depersonalisation and derealisation develop. At our Institute w e performed a complex psychological examination of 41 patients, suffer ing from malignant lymphoma, immediately after informing them of the d iagnosis but prior to their first treatment. The psychological examina tion of volunteering patients involved an initial interview, Rorschach and Szondi projective tests, a Wechsler intelligence test and a discu ssion of the results with the patient. The relatively frequent tempora ry pathological psychic conditions exert an influence on the decisions of patients make about their treatment and interventions, and may als o influence the doctor patient relationship.