A CASE OF AN ADOLESCENT BOY WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA TREATED BY FAMILY THERAPY, REDUCTION OF DRUG DOSAGE ACHIEVED BY CONTROLLING HIS MOTHER'S ANXIETY

Abstract

Recently pediatricians take a more comprehensive approach to children with psychosomatic diseases by treating the child and the family as well.The effectiveness of family therapy in well known today. The case reported here in the application of family therapy techniques to the mother of a 13-year old boy who had suffered from bronchial asthma attacks since he was 3 years old. Because of his recurrent and severe attacks, his mother became very nervous and anxious about the sick boy.When an amelioration of symptoms was observed, his doctor decided to reduce the dosage of medicine and to persuade his mother that a smaller dosage was better for the boy. The mother, to the contrary, insisted that more and more medicine should be given.The doctor advised her to consult a family therapist.At first she refused that kind of counselling. Then the pediatrician/family therapist (author) used her out-patient clinic, applying family therapy techniques such as positive connotation, stable messages and so on.Once her collaboration was obtained the pediatrician/therapist succeeded in controlling her anxiety about the drug reduction, the boy recovered from his bronchial asthma attacks even when the dosages were reduced.Conclusion: It concluded that family therapy techniques are effective for anxious mothers in out-patient clinics.