THE TRAUMA TRIANGLE

Recent research supports the hypothesis that more active engagement of the patient in occurring illnesses improves quality of life and proba bly even life expectancy. In this study experience and theoretical kno wledge from psychotherapy is transplanted to clinical practice in orde r to improve the physician's engagement in the patient-disease relatio nship. By defining severe and long-term illnesses as a psychotrauma, t he transfer of the psychotherapeutical model leads to the creation of a new triangular relationship: patient-illness-doctor. Practical examp les are used as illustrations for the conceptual differences between p sychotherapy and clinical medicine. Options for dialogue show the diff erence between adaptation (''learning to live with'') and adjustment ( active coping strategies and controlling). The hypothesis is that a be tter dialogue will reduce illness-related stress, giving the patient b etter and more effective access to personal psychic and physical suppo rt systems.