Awareness of psychological and relationship problems amongst brain tumour patients and its association with carer distress

Abstract

The finding of reduced awareness or denial in brain tumour patients and its contribution to increased carer anxiety highlights the need for therapeutic interventions, which improve patient insight/denial and encourage patient and carer communication.

Death-Related Anxiety in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Validation of the German Version of the Death and Dying Distress Scale

“…15 Third, there was a high proportion of patients with brain tumors, who often struggle with high physical and psychosocial symptom burden. 23 The shortening of the questionnaire can be seen as both a strength and a limitation: although the shorter instrument produces less generalizable results and may not comprehensively cover all aspects of death anxiety, our final version is shorter, less intrusive, and thereby more patient-friendly, potentially resulting in higher participation rates. However, we did not use a structured interview in our pilot study for receiving more detailed feedback from patients completing the DADDS-G at the inpatient palliative care unit.…”

Psychiatric symptoms in glioma patients: from diagnosis to management

“…Impaired emotion recognition and behavioral problems are associated with a lack of self-awareness, which can lead to perspective-taking difficulties. After surgery, brain tumor patients are more likely to underestimate their psychological problems and the negative impact of changes to their emotional functioning, interpersonal relationships, neurocognitive functioning, and coping skills 23. This can be distressing for partners and others who are closely involved 23.…”

“…After surgery, brain tumor patients are more likely to underestimate their psychological problems and the negative impact of changes to their emotional functioning, interpersonal relationships, neurocognitive functioning, and coping skills 23. This can be distressing for partners and others who are closely involved 23. Moreover, lack of awareness of deficits can have a major impact on the outcome of rehabilitation after treatment 24.…”

Caregivers’ quality of life and psychological health in response to functional, cognitive, neuropsychiatric and social deficits of patients with brain tumour: protocol for a cross-sectional study

“… 13 Furthermore, patients sometimes underestimate their psychological and interpersonal problems, which may increase the anxiety of the caregivers. 24 …”