Free Choice & Cancer
A lot of research done with cancer patients suggests that the patient's positive outlook towards the disease is a major contributor to longevity and quality of life. The following story is taken from my book that was published in Hebrew, "Controlling of Emotional and Physical Pain".
Case Study
While going through his physical checkup, prior to joining the army, Saul discovered he had blood cancer. Till then he was a healthy young man, well adjusted and had many friends.
From the moment of that discovery, he fell into a depression. He stayed mostly at home and severed his social ties with friends. He lost interest in books, news papers, TV and even music, which he loved. He spent long hours in his room sobbing. Psychiatrists prescribed antidepressant, to no avail. It looked like he lost his will to fight for his life. His depression affected his family too. They did their best to support him, encourage him and tried to get him out and do the things he liked. But his standard answer was: "What's the point. I am going to die soon anyway."
I met with his parents first to hear details of his deep depression. A week later Saul came to my office declaring that he is not interested in our meetings and he came only at the behest of his parents. He answered only with "Yes" or "No" to most of my questions. He made it clear that he was anxious for the end of the session. Since all my efforts to communicate with him failed, I decided to use a different approach. I used a metaphoric story that carries a message for him.
I opened with a question: "Do you know the French philosopher Sartre?"
Saul said he never heard of him. I explained that Sartre is considered one of the fathers of 20th century philosophy in a branch called existentialism. One of the basic assumptions of this branch is that every person, at any given moment in his life has the ability to choose. It is told that one of his students complained to him: "The basic assumption of the philosophy of existentialism is not clear to me. How is it possible for every person to have the ability to choose every minute of their lives? How is it possible, for instance, for a person standing in front of a firing squad, blindfolded with his hand bound behind his back?. What can he do? Does he have the ability to choose?"
Sartre responded to his student: "You are missing the main idea of this hypothesis. I did not say that every person, at any given time has a choice between all possibilities. There are many instances where most of the options are blocked, for reasons out of our control. But every person in every situation can choose between at least two options. The person executed, for example, can choose between standing erect, in defiance of his executors or he can self degrade, break down and lose his dignity."
After I finished Sartre's story, I rose and departed from Saul. I chose not to explain the metaphor. I thought it best to let him digest the idea by himself.
Two days later I received a call from his parents. They informed me that there was a dramatic change in his behavior. He got up in the morning and left the house without telling his parents where he was going. At noon when he returned he told them he was volunteering at the Museum. Afternoon he went to visit a friend and returned in a good mood. Since that day, Saul returned to an active lifestyle. He cooperated with his doctors, agreeing to all the treatments. Alas he refused to see me again. I met with his parents a few more times mainly to hear about him and guide them in dealing with his situation. They reported that his mood had improved and his disease stabilized.