THE EFFICIENCY OF RENDERING PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS WITH OBLITERATING DESEASES OF LOWER LIMB ARTERIES

Abstract

Atherosclerosis, being a multifocal disease, has a pain syndrome as the main clinical manifestation. After reconstructive surgery, pain symptoms either decrease or are absent, it is logical to assume that the level of anxiety and depression will decrease to the limits of normal. However, a fairly high percentage of patients with clinical and subclinical manifestations of depression and anxiety were identified. Consequently, pain is not a major factor in high rates of depression and anxiety. We assume that a serious illness that leads to disability and death puts a person in special living conditions. This situation affects the mental state of the patient. Even a technically competent operation does not always bring relief and recovery to the patient. The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of psychological support for patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the lower limb arteries after surgery (reconstructive surgery). It should be noted that we did not pursue a long – term goal – the patient's awareness of the disease in the context of life, but set a short-term goal according to this time period-improving the emotional state through the patient's internal psychological resources. The study was aimed at implementing a program of psychological support for patients with chronic obliterating diseases of the lower limb arteries after surgery – reducing the level of depression and anxiety in patients in the postoperative period. The sample consisted of 15 patients on the 5th day after surgery. After psychological support, the percentage of patients with clinical and subclinical manifestations of depression and anxiety decreased. This may indicate the effectiveness of the proposed assistance for violations in the emotional sphere.