[Leukemia and mental health: psychological disturbances, predisposing actors, precipitating conditions and psychotherapeutic approach].
OBJECTIVE
To determine, within a group of leukaemic patients, which data are valid parameters of predisposing factors with regard to the onset of psychological alterations, and also to establish the therapeutic approach to those factors.


METHODS
A longitudinal study was performed on 22 cases of leukaemia. A psychologic evaluation study of the mental health was carried out analysing different aspects, namely, personality, anemic status, anxiety, and stress along the last 12 months, and the grade of social support and the specific pattern of coping with stress situations were examined as well. The complete evaluation took into account the different phases of the leukaemia: diagnosis, clinical course, relapses and therapy; other circumstances such as sex, age, time from diagnosis, type of treatment, untoward therapeutic effects, type and time of isolation, were also contemplated.


RESULTS
Intersenting data were collected, it being important that 77% of the cases had psychic alterations. Adaptative and psychosomatic alterations were commonest, amounting to 82% and 59%, respectively. The findings on the predisposing factors and rushing conditions attained interesting predictive value for preventive purposes.


CONCLUSIONS
The cognitive-behavioural strategies of psychologic interventions included in the psychology of health and applied to the principles of medicine have proven highly efficacious in the treatment of psychopathies, but also in their prevention.
Hurtado
F
F
Servicio de Hematología y Hemoterapia, Hospital Universitario "La Fe", Valencia, España.
Martín
G
G
Sanz
M A
MA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology
Leucemia y salud mental: trastornos psicológicos, factores predisponentes, condiciones precipitantes y abordaje psicoterapéutico.