Living with genetic disorder : the impact of neurofibromatosis 1

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Bibliographic Information

Living with genetic disorder : the impact of neurofibromatosis 1

Joan Ablon

Auburn House, c1999

  • alk. paper

Available at  / 7 libraries

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Note

Includes index

Bibliography : p. [187] - 197

Description and Table of Contents

Description

A description of the social, educational, and economic impact of living with a neurological genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis 1. The many unpredictable and potentially stigmatizing possible symptoms of NF1, which range from physical disfigurement to severe learning disorders, may have serious consequences in every aspect of daily life. NF1 was for many years wrongly diagnosed as the Elephant Man's Disease. Ablon examines the psychosocial costs of this misdiagnosis and the ways in which stage, screen, and television parlayed The Elephant Man into the personification of the grimmist extreme of ugliness. This portrayal engendered fear and anxiety for affected persons and their families and also had an impact on the scientific and medical communities. Ablon analyzes the factors that affect individual positive adaptation to NF1 and the demands of American society, and offers suggestions for families, support systems, and health care providers for treatment of affected individuals.

Table of Contents

Introduction Psychosocial Issues in Living with NF1 Diagnosis and Response of Families of First Generation Adults to Their Condition Intergenerational Sharing The School Years--The Staging Ground for Stigma Getting and Keeping a Job The Search for Intimacy Marriage and Childbearing Gender Response Living with Uncertainty The Specter of "The Elephant Man" Stigma NF Support Groups Medical Experiences Impact Conclusion Appendixes References Index

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