Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:538-541
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
Spinal cord injury: a role for the psychiatrist
TD Stewart
The initial psychiatric evaluation of individuals with spinal cord injuries
should focus on the patients' coping strategies; this information is an
essential part of the treatment and rehabilitation plan. Psychiatrists can
also work effectively with staff members in groups designed to ease the
strain of working with severely disabled patients. Such patients may have
psychiatric illnesses that are not secondary to the injury; careful
selection of antidepressant or antipsychotic medication is essential. The
author points out that the psychiatrist has much to offer in the treatment
of individuals with spinal cord and other severely disabling injuries.
