Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: psychosocial interventions for patients and their families.

Because amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) differs in many of its characteristics from other progressive and fatal diseases, much of the literature on terminal or paralyzing illness only partially describes the experience of ALS patients. This study details the psychosocial impact of the disease for patients and their families and concludes with specific recommendations on intervention for health care and for social service providers.