Aspects of process diagnosis in the psychotherapy of psychosomatic diseases

15 patients with psychosomatic diseases and the phenomenon of alexithymia, together with neurotic patients are treated psychotherapeutically in half-open groups. Contrary to the neurotics the patients show some special features regarding the process diagnostics. In assessing the wished and really experienced nearness to the group members there is a deficient ability to differentiate. During the therapeutic process the intrapsychic tension (EMI - Inventory of Emotionalities) is subject to great fluctuations or doesn't change. The occurrence of fluctuations in the EMI and of greater differentiations in the N-D-Test (Nearness-Distance-Test) suggest a good prognosis. A therapy of psychosomatic patients together with neurotic patients seems to be more effective than the treatment in homogeneous groups.     

Behavior of visual evoked potentials (pattern reversal VECP) in smokers

Twenty six clinically healthy smokers were studied with transient pattern visual-evoked potentials. In comparison with a sample of "normal" subjects we found a difference of some parameters (P less than 0.05): the P2-latency and the interocular difference of latency on average were 6-7 ms respectively 2 ms larger. Thirteen subjects have had a prolonged P2-latency (P less than 0.05) and/or a difference in interocular latencies larger than 5 ms. These findings may suggest on subclinical disturbances of visual system and indicators of an special sensitivity of that person. The findings are possibly related to tobacco-alcohol amblyopia.     

Subjective quality of life of surgically treated glioma patients undergoing polychemotherapy

25 patients with glioma were questioned as to how they apprehended and appreciated their state of health and their psychosocial situation 1 1/2 years (s = 4 months) after the start of their postoperative polychemotherapy. In their opinion, their health was relatively good, that is, they claimed to suffer little pain, few complaints, little feeling of inadequacy, few fears for the future. They regarded the mode of treatment as being somewhat more inconvenient. Such an unexpectedly positive response, in view of the poor prospect, raises the question as to its provenance. A significant cause is seen in the organic psycho-syndrome, and its significance is made the subject of the concluding discussion, with reference to adaptation mechanisms and specifics of the illness.     

Book Reviews

The Psychological Record -     

Oedipus and insight

Insight is a core concept in psychoanalytic theory. The Oedipus myth has been a central metaphor in the evolution of psychoanalytic theory, particularly the psychoanalytic theory of development. Similarly, Sophocles' drama, its relation to the myth, and its repeated reinterpretation throughout the ages provide a valuable metaphor for our understanding of the role of insight in psychoanalysis and in development. We may have underestimated the importance of insight in normal development while oversimplifying its significance as an agent of therapeutic change.