A terminal cancer patient who attempted suicide: From the viewpoint of psychotherapeutic approach to terminal cancer patients

Abstract

We present a case of a terminal cancer patient who resisted therapeutic interventions and attempted suicide, and discuss an psychotherapeutic approach to terminal cancer patients. It was challenging to deal with this patient, because psychological symptoms were not properly controlled for various reasons, such as a strong sense of resistance toward psychological interventions, disturbance of consciousness caused by delirium, and initiation of the treatment without sufficient prognosis notification. However, since the health care providers involved strove towards a multilevel understanding of the patient, accurately evaluated changes in psychological symptoms or physical states, and steadily continued to provide appropriate supportive interventions, psychological symptoms were reduced before the patient's death. The provision of stable treatment structure and a sympathetic attitude along with a deep understanding based on supportive psychotherapy may facilitate the support of such patients.