Psychiatrists in palliative care of people with severe psychiatric illnesses and an oncological comorbidity

Abstract

People with severe psychiatric illnesses and an additional oncological illness represent great challenges to therapists in the palliative setting. Behavior patterns often appear incomprehensible or disconcerting. Depressive withdrawal or delusion in the context of a chronic psychosis can be frightening. This article outlines the epidemiological data as well as the particularities in the experience of this group of people. Following selected case studies from a psychological perspective, thoughts on the tasks of the psychiatrist in the palliative setting are presented.