Psychological adaptation to facial disfigurement in a female head and neck cancer patient

Abstract

AbstractHead and neck cancer patients are often confronted with changes in their physical appearance that may be devastating to the patient and to those around them. This article describes the positive psychological adjustment of a young female with head and neck cancer to prolonged facial deformity. It illustrates critical variables in the psychological adaptation of these patients as well as the need for ongoing, supportive relationships with family and members of hospital staff. The ways which the psychotherapist had of overcoming the negative feelings initially elicited by the patient's overwhelming disfigurement are also discussed.