RESEARCH ARTICLE
Psychological Aspects Associated with the Acquisition and Development of HPV Infection and its Repercussion on Quality of Life
Tomás-Aragonés L.*, 1, Castillo-Amores A.B. 1, Rodríguez-Cerdeira C.2, Marrón-Moya S.E. 1
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2009Volume: 3
First Page: 133
Last Page: 136
Publisher ID: TODJ-3-133
DOI: 10.2174/1874372200903010133
Article History:
Received Date: 04/05/2009Revision Received Date: 14/05/2009
Acceptance Date: 26/05/2009
Electronic publication date: 29/10/2009
Collection year: 2009
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
A clear relationship between infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and mental health problems does not seem to exist. Nonetheless, the presence of psychological symptoms – such as fear, guilt, shame and anxiety– are frequent in people who suffer the disease. A series of myths and false beliefs exist which may lead to great psychological discomfort. The diagnosis supposes putting into effect a process of adaptation. In this adaptation process to the disease, various defence mechanisms may appear. The importance of informing the patient – by the health professional – in a true and precise way, and allowing time for the patients to express their doubts about everything that is worrying them in order to face the emotional impact that giving the news to their partner and family may suppose should be highlighted. The disease leads to changes in lifestyle and quality of life. The aim is to help the patient in this process.