The British Journal of Psychiatry 150: 319-323 (1987)
© 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Huntington's chorea: some psychodynamics seen in those at risk and in the responses of the helping professions
B Martindale
St Charles Hospital, London.
The autosomal dominant mode of inheritance of Huntington's Chorea (HC) has
been established for over 100 years. Strong psychological defences against
the acceptance of this knowledge are commonly found both in professionals
and in Huntington families and relatives who are at risk. One consequence
of maintaining these defences is the continuing transmission of the gene,
and therefore the disease, to succeeding generations. The defences of
professional persons protect them from the difficult and unsettling task of
providing genetic counselling to healthy relatives at risk. An increase in
awareness of the psychodynamics involved may lead to constructive thinking
about the current deficiencies in care and counselling services provided
for these families.
