Přehled o publikaci

Huntington´s disease is a devastating neurological disorder impacting all aspects of individual functioning, including cognition, mood, self-care, social interaction and the capacity for work. Similarly to other patients with neurodegenerative diseases, Huntington sufferers face innumerable problems in everyday life, both within their bodies and psyches, and in the natural and social environments. The following chapter centers on emotional and communicational issues in Huntington´s disease and their interrelations, covering a range of topics from depressive symptomatology, anxiety, helplessness or anger, to verbal and non-verbal communication and assistive technology. As the communication processes get increasingly disrupted during disease progression, knowing what the patient feels and needs represents a major challenge for both professional and lay caregivers. Simultaneously, the emotional stratum of a Huntington patient´s personality is subject to various independent detrimental effects unrelated to communication. An overview of current research combined with personal stories is provided in the present chapter along with discussion of emotional suffering of all persons involved.