title: Illness in a therapist--loss of omnipotence.
abstract: This article describes one psychotherapist's discovery through his own acute illness, of his use of omnipotence as an unconscious defense mechanism while working with patients. It includes his patients' reactions to his "loss of omnipotence" and the insights he gained from the experience.
mesh_terms: D000786:Anger; D001010:Anxiety, Separation; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012649:Self Concept