A Case Book of the Neuroses and their Treatment
Clinical Psychology:
- Author:
Charles Berg, M.D.,
D.P.M. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. 25s.
The author of this book needs no introduction as he is already well known to a wide public as the author of War in the Mind and Deep Analysis, this latter book being the vivid presentation of a patient undergoing a Freudian analysis. In Clinical Psychology, the author commences on a personal note describing the ” Odyssey ” which eventually led to his own analysis. This introduction has a message for many today and it should appeal especially to General Practitioners. Anxiety States, Hysteria, Hypochondria, Drug Addictions, Epilepsy, Obsessional States, Depression, Mania, Schizophrenia and Psychopathic States are all deal with from the analytical viewpoint. These chapters are interspersed with numerous examples of analytical sessions with the analyst’s comments, and include notes on the psychopathology of these states.
The final section of the book deals with treatment. Endocrinology is given a ” back seat “, although the author points out the value of thyroid in wellchosen cases. He rightly draws attention to the importance of physical examination in neurotic patients to exclude organic disorders, such as Addison’s disease, and he rightly stresses the role that nature plays in regulating the endocrine balance. He mentions, somewhat briefly, some of the most useful drugs and considers that continuous narcosis is only rarely indicated. His views on narcoanalysis and narco-hypnosis will meet with much opposition by their advocates. He considers that ” those who have resource to these aids to psychotherapy are naturally those whose technique is most in need of aid “. E.C.T., Insulin therapy, and pre-frontal leucotomy are briefly noted, but the student of psychiatry would be well advised to turn to more detailed works to gain knowledge of modern physical methods of treatment.
It is disappointing to find that only Schilder’s name is mentioned in connection with group therapy. One would hardly expect Dr Berg to be so critical if he knew more about the analytical approach to group therapy of such workers as Bion and Rickman, Ackermann or Foulkes. That it is possible for a group to gain insight into its unconscious reactions has been definitely shown by all these workers, none of whose groups would be likely to degenerate ” into the equivalent of a modern House of Commons ” as Dr Berg imagines Dr Schilder’s groups might do if group relationships are left to find their level. The analysis of the ” here and now ” situation in the group and the gaining of insight by the group are points which are not altogether ignored by these workers ! The value of the early work done on group research in this country is only now beginning to bear fruit, as is shown by the very useful work in specific social field situations by the staff of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations. One does not perhaps expect Dr Berg to suffer gladly the exponents of narco-analysis, but to damn analytical group therapy with such faint praise shows a surprising lack of awareness of present-day work.
This hiatus is, however, more than adequately compensated by the chapters on analytical technique which are well written by an expert who speaks with confidence and authority, after experience of analysis at a deep level both as analysand and analyst. They are a useful introduction to any reader who wishes to pass on to a more serious study of psychoanalytical technique. The author’s approach to clinical psychiatry will no doubt meet with much opposition by the general body of readers. Freud has pointed out more than once that the public cannot be expected to digest psychoanalytical concepts, and it may well be that an analysis is the first requisite before the reader can accept much in this book. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended as it gives a broad outline of the psychoanalytical approach, and for those not familiar with medical or psychoanalytical terms a useful glossary is added. The matter is good, the presentation vivid, the style forthright and the whole book essentially readable. Dr. Berg should feel well satisfied with his efforts. F.T.S.
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