• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.167-207
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• 2015

This study focused on the awareness and coping methods of psychological trauma and human suffering in the contemporary era after the development of posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) including the situations in the Korean society, and proposed principles for an alternative paradigm of trauma recovery. Trauma is defined as an 'external' stress causing chronic suffering mediated by memory, and the American Psychiatric Association approved PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980. The development of PTSD empowered moral legitimacy to the victims, opened a successful way to treatment, and accomplished explosive amount of research in the area of neurobiology and cognitive neuroscience. However, this also narrowed the understanding of human suffering, and the importance of an alternative coping method which overcomes the limitations of technical intervention became overlooked. Moreover, the Korean society has an underlying mechanism of replacing the matter of trauma to a problem of an individual. This is shown among the historical context of splitting and denial, and among medicalized bureaucracy. Trauma should be acknowledged as a social suffering, and searching for an alternative paradigm is in need. This study suggested the following principles; seeking for truth and justice, survivor as the agent of recovery emphasizing the responsibility of the community, ecological adaptations of recent bio-psychological achievements, and finally putting emphasis on continuous discussions about the definition of recovery.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2003

Cancer is a life crisis which inflicts major psychological and physical trauma upon the victim. Most of the cancer patients suffer from major depression, profound frustration, and impaired social adjustment. Therefore suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt are also becoming a serious threat to cancer patients and their families. Hospice is patient-centered, and accepts the inevitability of 'death' while simultaneously being life-affirming. Even though there is no chance of physical cure, there is much scope for psychosocial and spiritual healing. Most of cancer patients who commit suicide suffer hem many mental problems. Hospice specialists must play an important role in evaluating and managing emotional or behavioral problems associated with suicidal ideatior and are also are expected to serve as informed commentators regarding suicide. It is crucial that hospice specialists define their role and develop clinical skills to intervene in suicidal event effectively. A systematic approach to suicidal cancer patients is a essential, and there is need for specific training for all hospice professionals. In this case report, the author introduced knowledge and clinical guidelines for a desirable approach to suicidal cancer patient.