La aceptación de la enfermedad y la adhesión al tratamiento en pacientes con epilepsia

Abstract

Introduction The specialized medical service for epilepsy in the psychiatric hospital of Havana identified several difficulties to succeed in making the patient diagnosed with epilepsy follow the corresponding treatment. The patients do not accept their disease; they get tired of the continued therapy, and refuse to make the necessary arrangements in their lifestyle. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of the application of a psychotherapeutic and educational strategy aimed at encouraging acceptance of disease and improving treatment adherence. Methods This strategy included sessions to develop responsible attitude toward the disease and to accept the restrictions that it imposes upon the patient. It also covered rational, affective and educational resources. The initial basic therapeutic task was to identify and to change the tendency of the patient to hide his/her epilepsy from himself/herself and from the others. Results The average scoring in the medication and treatment adherence scale improved after this intervention. From an average score of 2.23, indicating problems in psychosocial adaptation to medication, to 1.09 expressing lack of significant problems in this area. Conclusions The psychotherapeutic and education strategy to encourage the acceptance of disease by the patient and to improve treatment adherence was effective indeed.