Coping with cancer through self-instruction: a hypothesis

Because most cancer patients seem to cope well with the stresses of their illness, including the psychosocial ramifications, it is important to understand what good copers manage to do, as opposed to those patients who simply defend themselves against persistent problems. This requires making a radical distinction between coping and defending, as well as between healthy adaptive resources and latent pathological dispositions. A case report is presented to illustrate how one "supercoper" solved problems by self-instruction. While cognitive self-instruction may not be applicable for every cancer patient and all problems, it is a working hypothesis deserving of further investigation, since self-control and personal responsibility are essential elements in rehabilitation on all levels. One intervention model for "high distress" cancer patients is outlined.