Relational and therapeutic aspects of children with late onset of a terminal disease

Abstract

The authors studied the patterns by which children and adolescents with spinal amyotrophy face their disease and the psychological difficulties involved. Five case histories regarding forms II and III of spinal amyotrophy are discussed in detail. Intense and recurrent anguish about death and the image of a narcissistically injured self were found to be present in all patients. We believe that these are the emotional elements that are most important in influencing the development of the child's relations with his own mental objects. This should be taken into account in any type of approach to the treatment of patients with this disease.