Clinical,Studies in Psychiatry by H. S. Sullivan

A structured group therapy approach for psychiatric inpatients is presented. After reviewing the literature indicating that insight-oriented approaches are not effective with severely disturbed patients, the data supporting an interpersonal, cognitive, problem-solving approach with such patients is reviewed. A rationale for combining this cognitive problem-solving approach and Yalom's interpersonal approach with psychiatric inpatients is then presented. This structured group therapy approach, called the problem-solving support group (PSSG) is discussed, defining the nature and composition, screening procedures, methods, and techniques of the PSSG. Its use with psychiatric patients is illustrated by therapy protocols depicting the nature of the therapeutic interactions during the group, while also demonstrating what the group appears to be accomplishing for its members.     

The Theory and Practice of Psychiatry by Frederick C. Redlich and Daniel X. Freedman

Abstract

The noted humorist Dave Barry, in looking back over his life and thinking of things he had learned, said one of the things he learned was that “There is a very fine line between ‘hobby’ and ‘mental illness’” (1998, p. 182).

Following in Dave Barry’s path, I would like to look back over the 45+ years I’ve been practicing group therapy and see if there is anything to be learned by what I have learned over those years.     

Psychiatry,psychoanalysis and sociology in the work of H.S. Sullivan

Abstract

Conci, M. Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Sociology in the Work of H.S. Sullivan. Int Forum Psychoanal 1997;6: 127–135. Stockholm, ISSN 0803-706X.

The author tries to illuminate H.S. Sullivan's complex professional identity. With E. Fromm he shared a basic humanistic orientation, and also the project of creating an interdisciplinary new science of man. This is the perspective he inherited from W.A. White, who tried to make psychoanalysis a major ingredient of psychiatry and social science. Sullivan's pioneer work with schizophrenic patients changed the prognosis of these patients, represented the basis of his interpersonal theory of psychiatry and of his collaboration with Chicago social science. Not only is the epistemological sophistication of his definition of psychiatrywhich includes the biological, intra- psychic, cultural and social dimensions-very relevant today, but so is the work he conducted, through the Washington School of Psychiatry (1936) and the journal Psychiatry (1938), with the aim of creating what he called a “psychiatry of peoples”, leading to world peace and greater social justice. In his view, psychoanalysis was more than a profession: it was a fundamental instrument of personal, cultural and social change.     

美国卫生保健的公正和分配问题

除了卫生保健服务的费用问题以外,美国社会中关于医疗卫生保健的比较严重的问题是服务的公平和分配问题,在美国无论是城市还是农村,在经济上处于弱势地位的人,在医疗上也处于不利地位,另一个由公平性问题影响的社会层面是;大量的美国人没有参加健康保险,他们中的大多数人是生活贫困的究人或接近于贫穷的人。此外,美国卫生保健提供体系在地理分布上是不均衡的,初级保健医生或家庭医生在医生中也没有充分的代表性,医生的矩缺不只限于农村,也扩展至城市的某些区域。     

Introduction to Psychiatry by O. Spurgeon English and Stuart M. Finch

Multiple group psychotherapy was employed as the primary treatment modality in a day-treatment program as an innovative multifaceted approach to treating adolescents comorbid for psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses. The concurrent educational program included a high school on site. The groups included Substance Abuse Group, which promoted the 12-step model; Health Group; Psychotherapy Group; Leisure Time Group; Self-Awareness Group; and Multiple Family Group. The effect of the multiple groups was to provide a variety of experiences focusing on varied aspects of normal and dysfunctional adolescent development. Together the combination of groups served to strengthen the participants' cohesiveness, communicating skills, and hopefulness.