Abstract

This paper examines the relevance of genetic counseling and logotherapy in the management of somatogenic and noetic dimensions of psychopathologic disorders among individuals living with heritable disorders such as diabetics sickle cell disorders cystic fibrosis cancer or down syndrome Individuals with genetic disorders often experience meaninglessness feelings of worthlessness alienation deep sited anxiety and depression due to recurrent painful crises and uncertainty of their ability to survive the next crisis Such individuals often depend on drug therapy for the amelioration of their painful somatic condition without considering the option of psychotherapy The study suggests that Frankl s logotherapy could be used to restore a sense of meaning to replace feelings of worthlessness and alienation anxiety and depression in these individuals It also suggests that genetic counseling could be used to determine how genetic conditions run in families and to help a person or family understand their risk for heritable conditions educate the person or family about that disease and assess the risk of passing those diseases on to their children It also highlights some implications for psychotherapists