Treatment of oral character neurosis in group psychotherapy

Summary In summary, orally regressed neurotic characters are generally regarded as extremely resistive and discouraging patients because of their excessive narcissism, weak, unadaptable ego, clinging passive dependency, intense infantile rage, strong psychic masochism, and intense need to provoke aggression. This author has found, however, that patients in this category are more likely to respond to treatment when it is provided in a group setting.This hard core of oral character neurotics who frequently resemble borderline psychotics because of their tenacious masochistic defenses often find it easier to recognize the rigid and inappropriate defenses they habitually employ after they have seen similar defenses enacted by their group peers. Watching others play out their various senseless and stubborn delaying tactics stimulates such patients to question their own inflexible behavior when it is challenged or interpreted. Moreover, in the group setting, they are made aware of the fact that the acknowledgment of anxiety by their peers does not demean them; nor do they become passive and vulnerable objects for annihilation as a result. They find instead that the uncovering of conflicts evokes sympathy, and produces tangible help by all the members of the group, including the unconsciously feared therapist who is perceived as the bad mother.Reprinted with permission from Sager, C. J. and Kaplan, H. S. (Eds.)Progress in Group and Family Therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1972.