Evaluación y tratamiento psicológico de un caso de cáncer de colon con fobia a la quimioterapia y trastorno adaptativo

Abstract

It is exposed the case of a woman diagnosed with colon cancer, who has developed a phobia to quemotherapy treatment, generalized to day hospital, sanitary staff, other patients and the rest of the hospital. Also, she presented adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The patient showed important perceptive bias and mistaken conceptions s about the quimiotherapy and cancer. Also, she presented a low selfesteem, guilty attribution, helplessness and incontrolability feelings about her illness. The fear of quimiotherapy and hospital prevented to continue the medical treatment. un déficit en autoestima, atribuciones de culpabilidad, y sentimientos de indefensión e incontrolabilidad de su enfermedad. Moreover, it was detected the existence of psychological abuse on her partner’s side, aggravating the patient’s situation even more. The first aim of psychological treatment was focused to phobia elimination, to correct mistaken conception and desadaptative self-instructions about the cancer and treatment. It was applied 14 sessions (21 days) of relaxation, systematic desensizitation and cognitive restructuration of one hour each. After, it was realized an assertive and self-esteem training to cope problems with her partner. The results had been highly successful: the phobias had disappeared and she was able to finish her quimiotherapy treatment with satisfaction. The anxiety level had decreased significatively and her mood was considerably better (measured by HAD and EVA). and she faced her illness in a more adaptative way. The communication with medical staff and coping to cancer were improved. Finally, the relationship with her partner has notably improved.