[The psychological behavior of patients in danger of infection under conditions of isolation].

36 patients with agranulocytosis among them 29 cancer patients were treated in a Life Island (LI) during totally 990 days and were studied for their psychological reactions. Another group of 9 patients among them 6 leukemia patients were treated in reverse isolation (RI) during 578 days. The psychological reactions of these patients were equally studied and were compared with those of the first group. Main reactions to the isolation in the LI were signs of deprivation, specially movement deprivation, as well as aggressive and regressive behaviour. The patients in RI showed on the other hand sensations of loneliness and boredom. To enter and to leave the LI was more important for the patients than the beginning and the end of RI. The isolation was never terminated for psychological reasons. The following factors are important for coping with the isolation; human bindings to doctors, nurses and relations, activities, music, religion as well as adequate information and an attitude of the patient himself which allows him to support the fact of the illness.