Med. praxi. 2017;14(3):46-49

Significance of psychotherapy in treating multiple sclerosis

Renata Malinová

Neurologická klinika a Centrum klinických neurověd, Univerzita Karlova v Praze,

1. lékařská fakulta a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with a very individual course that can have a limiting effect on the capacity of full workload

and, later on, on the self-sufficiency of the patient, while having essential socioeconomic impact. The treatment of MS has

changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Physiotherapy and psychotherapy have become an integral part of treatment. The

treatment thus requires a comprehensive approach and a multidisciplinary team. The patient’s mental status has an effect on

the disease course. A chronic, incurable disease with no unequivocally predictable course interferes in an essential manner with

the person’s lifestyle. Psychotherapy initially offers support and guidance in the process of accepting the disease; subsequently,

it develops the patient’s activity leading to the point of being able to live a full, meaningful life with the disease.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, psychotherapy, psychotherapy goals, psychotherapy tasks, emotions, family, patient activity

Published: July 1, 2017  Show citation