Psychotherapeutic possibilities in patients with definitive movement disorders

Since traumas leading to severe and permanent physical handicaps affect the whole personality, the psychological approach plays a major role in the rehabilitation of patients with locomotory handicaps owing to injury. The harmful effects become apparently more easily on account of the disturbed personality development of the cripple, and the consequent mental changes complicate his or her reintegration into society. Rehabilitation measures intended to restore, as far as possible, the physical functions can only yield satisfactory results if they prepare the whole personality of the cripple--as a combined psychological and somatic entity--for life of a different quality.