[Psychotherapy in a patient with lupus erythematodes--a disease with an uncertain course]

The autoimmune disease Systemic LE (SLE) poses major adjustment problems because the course of the illness is unpredictable. Informing patients thus, does not provide clarity but include information about the fallibility of medical information or prognosis. Even though effective manual based psychological treatment programs exist, an individualised approach seems to be more appropriate. However, reports on individual psychotherapeutic interventions have not been reported sufficiently. The paper describes the short-term treatment of a patient with SLE. In his case cognitive deficits could be attributed to a CNS participation of SLE; central was an identity problem related to the disease. Within a few hours a substantial improvement of his condition could be achieved.