Depression and other psychopathological states of oncological patients and their treatment from the perspective of a clinical psychologist

02/2019

Mgr. Libuše Kalvodová

Psychoonkologická sekce ČOS ČLS JEP

SUMMARY

The article describes psychopathological states of oncological patients during a cancer treatment. Fear which accompanies us throughout our whole lives is identified together with another negative emotion, anxiety. Furthermore, we discuss stress and insufficient evidence of it being the cause of tumor development. Aggression and resistance are understood as a part of dealing with cancer treatment. Depression is the gravest psychopathological state and its continuation is a direct risk to patient's life. In addition, we show various examination methods followed by a section about psychotherapeutic care and notes on psychopharmacotherapy.

Key words

oncology, depression, anxiety, psychotherapy