Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1/2013

Coping with end of life – case studies

One of the most difficult challenges to face a person is the inevitability of his or her own death. The end of life is faced in personal, unique and subjective sensitive manner for each person. Some may greet the impending death healed, others with fear, anxiety and profound depression. Most request for psychotherapy services occurs due to obvious psychological concerns, however, some are made by family, clergy, the patients. In many case persons have problems coping with the complexity of end-of life issues. The article focuses specifically on the use of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) with person facing the end of life and describes practically two case studies. Techniques are outlined and future directions recommended.

Keywords: end of life, dying, cognitive-behavioral therapy.