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Psychological needs 7: Helping the withdrawn patient

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CASE STUDY

John is a 46 year old man, married with two children.

He initially complained of increasing weakness in his legs.  Always an anxious man, at first this was put down to stress.  When the weakness worsened, however, investigations and examination suggested motor neurone disease, and subsequent progression of the signs and symptoms has confirmed the diagnosis.  He wanted to know the diagnosis and was told

He is normally anxious, but ready to chat and animated.  Today he seems distant and speaks to you in brief sentences or single words.