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Biomedical subjects

C Pilsecker

Publications and source records attributed to C Pilsecker.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Group psychotherapy with spinal cord injured substance abusers.

Some studies have suggested that nondisabled people follow the dictates of a 'kindness norm' when reacting to those who are disabled. Spinal cord injured substance abusers have sometimes used the kindness of others to help maintain their addictive behavior. A special unit for such substance abusers in a Veterans Affairs hospital has used group psychotherapy as one of the principal methods for moving beyond the kindness norm and challenging its patients to struggle with their substance abuse. Therapists in this group have had to become aware of the special content of denial in this population, of the role of physical problems specific to spinal cord injury, and of the need to set aside clinical issues at times in order to make on the spot responses to practical problems associated with the injury.

Denial, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Starting out. The first six months posthospital for spinal cord-injured veterans.

Thirty-one former patients were contacted 6 mo after their completion of a spinal cord injury rehabilitation program: 14, paraplegics; 8, complete quadriplegics; 9, incomplete quadriplegics. Mean age was 38.5 yr. Most respondents were living in a family setting. Income ranged from substantial to barely adequate. Half of the respondents needed no assistance with activities of daily living; for the others, family members were the primary helpers. Almost all described their social contacts as sufficient for their needs. Half had not needed to use community resources for the disabled; the others had used a range of resources. Two respondents were employed, four were in school, six others had plans for eventual employment. Neither extent of disability nor income seemed related to likelihood of entering the workforce. Most respondents reported frequent local travel; some had traveled extensively. The large majority engaged in one or more hobbies and/or physical activities. Just over half of the respondents had had no sexual activity after discharge. Of the sexually active, half had found the experience frustrating. Except for the 30- to 39-yr-old respondents, the majority expressed satisfaction with most aspects of their lives.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1989

Family therapy with spinal cord injured substance abusers.

To incorporate family therapy into an inpatient treatment program for spinal cord injured substance abusers required overcoming both staff and patient resistance. Since it became an integral part of the program, family therapy has shown itself to be helpful in dealing with this population's tendency to adapt to their injury either by overdependency or overachievement. Its usefulness to patients with other chronic disabilities appears to warrant consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

On educating schizophrenics about schizophrenia.

Hospitalized schizophrenics attended a class on schizophrenia (1) to learn about their illness; (2) to try to understand why they are sometimes labeled schizophrenic and sometimes not; and (3) to try to determine the validity of their diagnosis. Many attendees appreciated the class while others, by not attending the second of two sessions, raised questions about its appropriateness for them.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1979

Terminal cancer: a challenge for social work.

The social worker interested in providing service to terminally ill cancer patients and their families must begin with careful self-assessment and with clarity about her goals. The tasks to which she can then address herself are: helping her clients (1) explore their feelings and behavioral options, (2) communicate as openly as possible with their significant others, and (3) become aware of resources outside themselves. A fourth task is helping her co-professionals from other disciplines increase their effectiveness.

Attitude to Death↗