[Psychosocial processing of disease exemplified by multiple sclerosis. Results of an empirical study of 27 males].

First, some details about the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and about theories concerning pathophysiology and etiology are described. After that, results of an enquiry into psycho-social coping mechanisms of 27 male patients living with Multiple Sclerosis are shown. In detail: To 85% of these patients micturation problems were a well-know experience. "Urging need to micturate" made it impossible for these patients to participate in public life and brought social isolation for them. A feeling of helplessness and impotence was caused by the symptom of unnoticed incontinence. No patient were divorced because of Multiple Sclerosis, but it seemed that some patients did not marry because of first symptoms of the disease. Changes in sexual functioning of these male patients depended upon the way of coping with sexuality generally by them, and was not merely a constant physiological defect. An investigation was also carried out about the length of time between first symptoms and the correct diagnosis, between the time of correct diagnosis and the time the patient was informed, as well as an investigation about the mourning process itself. For a better understanding of a patient having to cope with a chronic disease it is recommend to take into consideration also his premorbid life history.