Individual Supportive Psychotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Case Study

Author(s): Ioanna Provata, Magda Tsolaki, Dimitrios Michmizos, Theodoros Koukoulidis, Effrosyni Koutsouraki

This individual case study follows a 47-yearold woman who was directed by her treating physicians to individual psychotherapy after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The main methods our study was based on were clinical observations and neuropsychological assessments. The patient’s concerns revolved around her self-care and her inability to set boundaries in her interpersonal relationships. During her first sessions, she demonstrated symptoms of anxiety, depression, and self-destructive behavior. Due to these facts, psycho-supportive medication was deemed essential. The main purpose of this case study was to investigate whether supportive psychotherapy may be of additional help to patients with MS. In this individual case, we will present how effective supportive psychotherapy can be for the patient, which is part of the treatment for a personalized holistic intervention programme. Given the lack of relevant research in Greece, this study can help expand the knowledge and deepen the understanding in this field. Moreover, this study may reinforce the importance the care of MS patients to be carried out in a holistic intervention program. After one year of individual psychotherapy, the patient demonstrated significant improvement. Psychotherapeutic and supportive interventions, combined with MS medication, have been proved to be a more appropriate treatment for coping with and managing this chronic disease.