“<i>Living under the sword of Damocles</i>”: a psychological support project for patients with immune thrombocytopenia and their caregivers

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease that causes a drop in platelet count <100x109/L and it is associated to bleeding symptoms and psychological distress. It is a non-oncological hematological disease; however, research indicate that it significantly affects patients' psychological well-being, yet psychological support is often excluded from standard care. The “Living under the Sword of Damocles” project offers support to patients and caregivers while raising awareness among healthcare providers about ITP’s psychological impact. Developed by psychologists, hematologists, and patient advocates, the project provides a safe environment for discussing multiple issues and perspectives. It includes online and in-person group meetings and individual support, with the primary goal of helping participants recognize and manage ITP-related anxiety, offering new strategies to improve quality of life. Here we present the objectives of the project and the preliminary results achieved during the first year, with a psychological analysis of the three groups and possible future outcomes. Here we discuss the objectives achieved during the first year of the project, providing a psychological analysis of the three groups and possible future outcomes.

Keywords

• Immune thrombocytopenia
• psychological distress
• caregiver