Article

When traditional psychotherapy is provided to patients with traumatic
brain injuries (TBIs), the primary focus is on treating mood changes such as
depression, anxiety or anger. However, traditional psychotherapeutic methods
developed specifically for mood changes fall short when treating most TBI
patients. In large part, this is because the psychological adjustment
difficulties that most TBI patients face are linked to life-altering changes that
are interwoven with permanent physical, cognitive, and social sequelae. In
addition, mood changes in TBI patients are also caused by vocational and
financial losses. OBJECTIVE: The sudden onset of these unfamiliar and
interdependent problems necessitates a psychotherapeutic approach that
acknowledges the inherent challenges of coping with multiple life-altering
changes. For patients who experience a shattered sense of self, interventions
need to be explored to make life meaningful following a TBI. METHODS: An
existentially-oriented approach is introduced in the following steps: (1)
identifying pre-injury future expectations, (2) examining how the TBI has altered
these expectations, (3) grieving the loss of the expected future, and (4)
developing a realistic future that is existentially meaningful. RESULTS: Pivotal
gains are achieved when patients rebuild their lives according to their own core
values. CONCLUSION: TBI patients can benefit from existential psychotherapy.

Langue : ANGLAIS