ABSTRACT

Psychosocial Counselling Services for Patients with Neurological Problems and their family members

Prakashi Rajaram

Counselling services for the neurologically ill is a relatively new field in India though the counselling services were incorporated with neurological services in the early part of the 20th century in USA. In India, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai offer psychosocial counselling services to neurological patients and to thier family members.

Generally, the problems encountered in these settings could be divided into two. Firstly, sudden onset of this illness or un-understandable process of the illness leading to hospitalization, vigorous testing procedures, etc., have reverse impact on patients and thier families. Secondly, as the concepts of mind and brain are interrelated many of the psychiatric complications manifest in the form of neurological symptoms and vice versa.

Depending on the nature of the problem (stroke, epilepsy, muscular disorder etc.). Counselling services could aim at a) Promotive aspects of health and preventive strategies for neurological problems during different stages of life cycle; b) Changing the knowledge attitude, belief and behavior of the patients and their family members about neurological problems; c) Motivating the patients and thier family members for treatment adherence; d) Active involvement of patients and family members in effective rehabilitation. This takes the form of individual counselling, family counselling, group counselling, crisin intervention, etc.

Issues related to counselling with neurological patients and their family members are highlighted in this paper based on the authors 20 years experience.