engleski

Psycho-Oncology and spirituality. Multidisciplinary approachto the treatment of malignant disease

Contemporary medicine should be based on a multidisciplinary approach that is personalized and that encompasses all human dimension (rational, mental and spiritual) in order to make the treatment process successful. Being diagnosed with a malignant disease poses a threat to the integrity of the afflicted person, and at that point, almost all previously successful ways of coping with stress cease to function. The psychological precursors of cancer include stressful experiences, depression and personality traits. Stress weakens the body's defense powers (endocrine and immune system), which in turn can lead to malignant illness. In our culture, emotional responses to the disease are considered less important compared to the physical health although today numerous cases and studies confirm that emotional resolvement leads to the relaxation of the whole organism which has a significantly effect on treatment and recovery from the disease. In the treatment process it is important to take care of mental health, i.e. emotional response to the illness, and depending on the severity of symptoms to involve a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. A successful treatment of malignant disease cannot be achieved without active participation of the patient who has to accept the disease and empower himself/herself to ease the healing process and to learn how to live with malignant disease. Spirituality plays an important role in this process as serious illnesses change the dynamics of the life one has known so far. The change can be a chance for spiritual growth which is often neglected by the modern way of life. The path of spiritual growth is individual and in accordance with the interests and preferences of the person and aims at taking control over one’s emotional reactions to the illness, facilitates dealing with and overcoming the issues brought on by the diseases. Clinical studies confirm that spirituality and religiosity can reduce the occurrence of anxiety and depression in patients with malignant disease. Highly expressed religiosity measured as the power of religious beliefs proved to be important with the lower emergence of depression in female patients with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology is a multidisciplinary approach and the modern medicine increasingly recognizes the role of spirituality in treatment and recovery.

psychooncology ; spirituality ; multidisciplinary treatment ; malignant disease

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