title: Unexpected recoveries from chronic severe psychiatric illness during treatment by psychological modes.
abstract: Four patients with psychotic illnesses and two with obsessional neuroses made unexpected recoveries attributable to psychological processes. They had been ill for periods ranging from 6 months to 19 years before first seen. All had physical therapies of several kinds including one who had approximately 500 ECT and another who had bimedial lobotomy. Follow-up after recoveries ranged from 6 to 24 years. In two cases psychotherapy (psychoanalytically orientated) was significant. Changed family dynamics, the support of a psychopomp, and the mobilisation of previously unrealized ego-resources were other significant psychological processes. Exhaustive re-evaluation of patients resistant to physical therapies is urged.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011612:Psychosurgery; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy