1/8. The dream in terminal illness: a Jungian formulation.It is a central assumption of jungian theory that psychical transformation occurring during the critical developmental stages of the life cycle is anticipated, inspired, and orchestrated by the archetypal symbol. In this way, archetypal dreams are afforded particular significance during these transitional stages. The present paper purports to consider the clinical and theoretical implications of this understanding with reference to the dying process. The concepts discussed are illustrated by a series of dreams of a terminally ill cancer patient, which are elucidated by way of the method of amplification. Thematic analysis of the dream series supports Jung's conceptualization of death and dying as being a critical stage of the individuation process, characterized by profound psychical development of a specific and purposeful nature. The value of using dreams in the psychotherapeutic care of dying patients and their families is discussed, with case illustrations. It is suggested that such an approach may foster creative development, assist patients to integrate meaningfully subjective experiences pertaining to dying, and counteract the sense of isolation experienced by the terminally ill. The need for further research and the development of specific treatment modalities is highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/8. Characteristics of the grieving process: a pilot study of 10 Korean spouses of patients who passed away from cancer.The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the characteristics of the grieving process of Korean spouses who lost their partner to cancer. Five women and five men were recruited by convenience sampling from surviving spouses attending a follow up program at a hospice center in Seoul, korea. In-depth interviews, observation, and instruments on grief stage and grief responses were used to collect data. Interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed line by line to discover recurrent patterns and themes. Gender differences were noted for grief responses (physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual) and factors influencing grief.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/8. The psychological treatment of cancer: the patient's confusion of the time for living with the time for dying.It has been shown that it is possible to influence cancer growth by a form of intensive meditation, although it is not yet established whether it can be influenced to the point of cure. In working with these patients it has been observed that the course of the illness has often been influenced by the patient's confusion of the biologically appropriate time for living and the time for dying. Without recourse to any formal psychotherapy, the family physician aware of this reaction may be able to enhance the immune defences and increase the quality of life of such patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/8. Functional use of secondary cancer symptomatology.This article presents several case studies which illustrate the way in which a terminal patient's attention may be diverted from the primary disease process, cancer, to secondary somatic symptomatology such as pain and nausea. This phenomenon has important consequences for the patient, family, physician, and the patient's medical treatment. These consequences are discussed in terms of primary gain, tertiary gain, and the "medicalization of existential problems."- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/8. Life events and the occurrence of cancer in children.Over a two-year period the families of twenty-five children with cancer and of a comparison group of children brought to a general pediatric clinic were studied by means of the Holmes-Rahe Life Schedule of Recent Events and by personal interviews. Results obtained by use of the Holmes-Rahe questionnaire revealed significant differences between the patient and control groups. Histories obtained from families in both groups also revealed that in the cancer group certain important life events were found to have occurred with greater frequency in the year prior to the onset of the disease. The relevance of these findings to previous work done in the field and to some current theories concerning the relationship of genetic, viral, endocrine, and psychological factors in the development of cancer are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/8. social work intervention with families of children with cancer: the changing critical phases.There are several critical phases through which pediatric cancer patients pass. It is important for the social worker to identify these stressful periods in order to give maximum help to the patient and his family. With constructive equilibrium.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/8. family sequelae after a child's death due to cancer.In a small study assessing the psychologic sequelae on disadvantaged families after a child's death from cancer, a high incidence of psychologic problems was found. The implication is that the coping mechanisms failed partially as a result of inadequate anticipatory griefing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/8. death, poetry, psychotherapy and clinical supervision (the contribution of psychodynamic psychotherapy to palliative care nursing).This paper explores one facet of a therapeutic relationship with a woman suffering from inoperable cervical cancer. The psychotherapy sessions were conducted in both hospital and the family home and continued on a weekly basis until final termination immediately prior to the woman's death. Through a "suspense structure' case study narrative, the writer, a nurse psychotherapist, describes the way in which the humanities, art and poetry can provide a means through which to understand seemingly incomprehensible feelings related to reviewing past events as a preparation for death. While no explicit critique is made of the twin psychoanalytical concepts of transference and countertransference, the occurrence is woven into the text. The essential nature of clinical supervision is illustrated in context. The author proposes that engagement in a therapeutic relationship with a dying person presents the worker with parallel struggles manifesting in elementary feelings which require discernment. The central recommendation of this paper is that the rich symbolic language and metaphors, redolent in art and poetry, be harnessed as a potent therapeutic tool. Throughout the discussion, the terms counselling and psychotherapy are used interchangeably.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cancer (Clic here for more details about this article) |