Adherence and self-confi dence in psychotherapeutic work with patients with multiple sclerosis

The article deals with the relationship between adherence (put simply, the patient’s willingness to cooperatein treatment) and self-confi dence in treating patients with multiple sclerosis. The importanceof well realized self-esteem as a prerequisite for good-quality cooperation with the patient becomesobvious in the therapeutic practice every day. It is valid that a healthy relationship to self, a functionalvalue system, and self-consciousness all lead to a more rapid coming to terms with the disease and,in the late stages associated with attacks and progression of the disease, facilitate acceptance of thisprocess. In psychotherapeutic care, patients address essential self-confi dence related issues that repeatthemselves and, in diff erent variations, are depicted as individual stories. Examples of the issues includerelationships to partners and parents or the attitude to one’s own body and oneself. Self-confi denceand its continuous support play a crucial role in how these issues will be addressed.

Keywords: adherence, self-confi dence, systemic psychotherapy, relationships