SPS Health: Addressing Emotional Challenges of Serious Illness is Critical for Comprehensive Support

Individuals facing serious or terminal illnesses confront not only the physical challenges of their condition but also significant emotional distress, including heightened levels of depression and anxiety.

“These emotional challenges exacerbate the complexities of managing terminal conditions and underscore the need for interventions that target mental health challenges,” says Grant Marylander, MSW, LSW, CCTSI, GC-C, bereavement counselor for Trail Winds Hospice in Boulder, Colo.

Addressing this distress is critical for practitioners who seek to provide comprehensive support, as emotional well-being is integral to an individual’s overall care and health, Marylander states in the latest Section Connection newsletter for the Specialty Practice Section on Health.

Radical acceptance is one of the cornerstones of dialectical behavior therapy, a third-wave cognitive behavior therapy developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan to help patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Radical acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing reality without judgment or resistance, Marylander writes. “Notably, radical acceptance does not equate to approval; rather, it is an acknowledgment of the pain arising from our reality without anger or bitterness, which may cause suffering. Radical acceptance aligns seamlessly with mindfulness practices, encouraging individuals to be present in the moment and accept their experiences fully.”

This approach proves particularly relevant for clients facing life-threatening diagnoses, Marylander says, offering a framework for navigating the emotional challenges associated with serious illness. “By accepting emotions without judgment, individuals can create space for skill-building, enabling them to manage their emotional responses more effectively.”