title: [Cyclical vomiting as the leading symptom of regression].
abstract: A 17-year old boy with primary mental retardation of unknown aetiology and cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is reported. Missing an organic cause of the episodes therapeutic procedures remained symptomatic for a 15 years time period. The report focusses the CVS as a regressive mechanism triggered by a mental retardation of the child which permanently disturbed the interaction between parents and child. Psychotherapeutic approach was successful in the following respects: The advantage by illness to vomit at home was continuously reduced by admitting the boy to a hospital at every ongoing attack. Hypnotherapeutic techniques were able to substitute the "malign" regression (CVS) successively by inducing a "benign" kind of regression. Family therapy could induce new and more intense non-verbal patterns of communication which where hitherto unknown in this family.
authors.affiliation: Arbeitsgruppe Kinderneuropsychiatrie, Univ.-Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Millner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Franthal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinbauer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005196:Family Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy