Recognition of demoralization: a life-saving diagnosis to make in cancer care

摘要

Background: Demoralization is a state of lowered morale and poor coping that can arise with the existential challenges of cancer and its treatment, and causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The poor coping and low morale can be associated with hopelessness, helplessness or feeling stuck about being able to change the situation, mean-inglessness or pointlessness, purposelessness, reduced dignity or self-worth as a person, doubts about the value of continued life, desire for hastened death or suicidal thoughts or plans. Thus, demoralization can be associated with significant suffering, making its recognition and treatment a vital clinical goal.