4. The psychological effect of facial and neck surgery.pdf

Question 1

Epidemiology of head and neck cancer?

Answer 1

Highest for ages of 74+ yrs
More common in men substantially
In UK
Increasing incidence for those ages 50 to 79 however
Age-standarsied (AS) rates highest in scotland

Question 2

Psychological factors of Head and Neck Cancer?

Answer 2

• Quality of life
• Psychological distress, anxiety, depression
• Fears of recurrence
• Appearance

Question 3

Why is fascial appearance so important to people?

Answer 3

Facial information is first to be available
It is continuously available
Facial appearance information does not require complex processing
Increased incidence of meeting new people

Question 4

Psychological problems associated with requests for plastic surgery?

Answer 4

Eating disorders: E.g. Anorexia bulemia, bulemia nervosa, compulsive eating
Sexual abuse
Familial/social estrangement

Question 5

Individual differences in response to stigmatizing reactions to the same physical characteristic

Answer 5

Less stigma felt in those who are ‘resilient’. Because:

• Reduced sense of personal vulnerability high level of intelligence
• sense of humour
• stable childhood
• strong self-esteem

Question 6

What allows an anomaly to warrant treatment?

Answer 6

An anomaly should be regarded as requiring treatment if the disfigurement or functional defect is, or is likely to be,an obstacle to the patients’ physical or emotional well-being

Question 7

What are the psychological actions seen in major and minor disfigurement patients?

Answer 7

Note: lack of correlation between disfigurement level and distress…

Minor disfigurement:
Unable to predict response from others
Increase in anxiety and helplessness
Increased scanning of face

Major disfigurement:
Able to anticipate response of others

Question 8

What are the characteristics of Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis MHP?

Answer 8

Monosymptomatic hypochondriacal psychosis (MHP):
Delusions of ugliness 
Obsessional to obtain a "cure" 
Anxious and vigilant
BUT rational about other things

Seen in patients of disfigurement

Question 9

What are the features of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)?

Answer 9

body dysmorphic disorder (BDD):

• Nondelusional
• Preoccupation with an imagined defect
• Overvalued ideas that can be discussed rationally

coexists with…

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive behaviour
• Social phobia

Question 10

in which 5 ways are carers importance in promoting recovery?

Answer 10

• Retain structure to daily life
• Assist with medication, treatments and adherence to medical recommendations
• Practical support
• Maintain emotional life
• Family interactions are complex and not always supportive

Question 11

What is the most common factor that leads to carer distress?

Answer 11

Patient fear of reoccurrence