Many
people who suffer from chronic diseases that entail joint physical, organic, and functional limitations like lymphedema, may experience some
level of social isolation, depression, embarrassment, and despair. In
many cases what else could be foreseen, if at the same time the
condition is untreated or undertreated with ineffective solutions.
Apart from the possible psychological implications of lymphedema due to disfigurement and disability (limitation of function), patients can't be expected not to have distress and emotional problems, when they are at the same time in the dramatic situation of seeing their health condition worsening. The logical procedure is to first solve problems of access to first-line compression treatment, and then manage the psychological distress if it still exists.
Apart from the possible psychological implications of lymphedema due to disfigurement and disability (limitation of function), patients can't be expected not to have distress and emotional problems, when they are at the same time in the dramatic situation of seeing their health condition worsening. The logical procedure is to first solve problems of access to first-line compression treatment, and then manage the psychological distress if it still exists.
In
terms of the psychological acceptance of a person affected by Grade
III lymphoedema-elephantiasis, important questions arise as to what
their emotional response should be to non-treatment or
under-treatment, knowing the quality of life and very serious outcome
that this disease could lead to.
Lymphedema is not in itself a psychopathology, nor does it predispose individuals to poor mental health. What lymphedema needs are good compression treatment and garments for the reduction and maintenance of edema, and what influences individuals with neglected and untreated diseases to be frustrated and depressed, is precisely being medically neglected and untreated. For information on what is the best treatment for lymphedema:
Lymphedema is not in itself a psychopathology, nor does it predispose individuals to poor mental health. What lymphedema needs are good compression treatment and garments for the reduction and maintenance of edema, and what influences individuals with neglected and untreated diseases to be frustrated and depressed, is precisely being medically neglected and untreated. For information on what is the best treatment for lymphedema:
Psychological
distress related to medical conditions is not something new, and no matter what illness or context, the impact of chronic diseases usually always
affects people's lives, especially when there are difficulties to
access good treatment options. Patients must first access the correct
treatment for their illness and then be treated psychologically if needed. Self-care support and activities are important for lymphedema, but patients also need at the same time access to first-line compression therapy and garments, to control the progression of the disease. Read more about the signs, symptoms, and complications of lymphoedema HERE.
Leaving patients with lymphatic vascular dysfunction, including those affected by filariasis and podoconiosis, untreated or undertreated is the same as leaving people to their fate. The progressive swelling and inflammation of lymphostatic edema can lead to severe disfigurement, disability, and even fatal infectious complications. In many cases, rather than a psychological problem of acceptance on the part of the person, it is the lack of access to good treatment that causes the stress factors, which incidentally could also be considered a serious breach of "Human Rights", in terms of access to adequate health care for individuals.
References:
( Treatment and management directly and
negatively affect persons with lymphedema)
Diagnosis
and Treatment of Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer: A
Population-based Study
Complete
Decongestive Therapy Treatment for lymphedema and its relationship
with Patients Psychological and Physical characteristics:
Lymphoedema
management: an international intersect between developed and
developing countries. Similarities, differences, and challenges.
Old
people with lymphedema
Interesting
document "Podoconiosis stigma scale" that even though
focused on Africa, it adapts perfectly to all Primary and Secondary
lymphedema alike, to measure the psychological impact of having to
live with lymphedema.
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