[Psychology and culture in sickle cell disease]

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a chronic pathology which can be expressed as early as the first few months of life. There are many psychological repercussions, linked to the effects of the disease itself, to its impact on the patients' relational life and, for some, to exile and cultural differences. Psychological support is useful for both the patient and his or her family, particularly at key moments in the treatment process.

Keywords: chronic disease; drépanocytose; isolation; isolement; maladie chronique; sickle cell disease; souffrance; suffering; vulnerability; vulnérabilité.