Characteristic interpersonal behavior in dependent and avoidant personality disorder can be observed within very short interaction sequences.

We present a behavior observation study of interpersonal behavior in 96 female subjects, who had been screened for the presence of dependent, avoidant, narcissistic and histrionic personality disorder features. Each subject took part in three short role-plays, taken from assertiveness training. Afterwards, both the subject and her role-play partner judged, how assertive the subject had been. Although observation time was very short, dependent and avoidant subjects could be easily identified from their overly submissive behavior in the role-plays. Histrionic and narcissistic subjects did not show distinctive interpersonal behavior. Contrary to a common belief, higher scores on some personality disorder (PD) scales were positively related to cross-situational variability of behavior. Results are discussed with regard to their implications for clinical diagnostics, therapy and the methodology of personality disorder research in general.

Utilización de la hipnosis en el tratamiento de la depresión mayor / The use of hypnosis in depression treatments

Se ha estudiado la efectividad de la terapia cognitivo-conductual aplicada de forma aislada, aplicada bajo relajación y aplicada bajo hipnosis, para el tratamiento de la depresión mayor. La muestra utilizada fueron 21 pacientes, con una edad media de 32,95 años y una desviación típica de 12,43; todos ellos con un diagnóstico de Trastorno Depresivo Mayor con arreglo a los criterios del DSM-IV. Los resultados muestran claramente que la terapia cognitivo-conductual es más efectiva cuando se utiliza combinada con la hipnosis que cuando se utiliza de forma aislada o en combinación con técnicas de relajación. Esta efectividad se manifiesta en todas las variables clínicas estudiadas: Ansiedad, Neurosis Depresiva, Depresión Mayor, Histrionismo y Pensamiento Psicótico (AU)

The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy was studied under three different conditions: a) only cognitive-behavioural therapy, b) therapy plus relaxation and, c) therapy together with hypnosis. Twenty-one participants were used with age mean of 32,95 years and standard deviation of 12,43. All participants were diagnosed with a major depression according to the DSM-IV criteria. Results clearly show that cognitive-behavioural therapy is more effective when applied under hypnosis conditions. This effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioural therapy under hypnosis conditions was obtained for all clinical variables studied Anxiety, Depressive Neurosis, Major Depression, Histrionics, Psychotic Thinking (AU)

Las personalidades homeopáticas / The homeopathic personality

Este trabajo trata sobre el movimiento dinámico de los síntomas mentales en una personalidad tan controvertible como Veratrum Album, dominada por un afán de grandeza ilimitada que lo impulsa a trepar en su medio por competencia desleal, manipuleo de gentes, a toda costa caiga quien caiga; siendo por lo tanto tan peligroso para su medio, en especial cuando en sus ilusiones siente que es Cristo, un enviado divino o el Mesías y arrastra tras de sí a mentes débiles o muy confundidas por situaciones emocionales extremas, conformando esas sectas o cultos sui-generis de comportamientos inexplicables (AU)

Las personalidades homeopáticas / The homeopathic personality

Este trabajo trata sobre el movimiento dinámico de los síntomas mentales en una personalidad tan controvertible como Veratrum Album, dominada por un afán de grandeza ilimitada que lo impulsa a trepar en su medio por competencia desleal, manipuleo de gentes, a toda costa caiga quien caiga; siendo por lo tanto tan peligroso para su medio, en especial cuando en sus ilusiones siente que es Cristo, un enviado divino o el Mesías y arrastra tras de sí a mentes débiles o muy confundidas por situaciones emocionales extremas, conformando esas sectas o cultos sui-generis de comportamientos inexplicables

Psychotherapy with the hysterical personality: an interpersonal approach.

Personality disturbances are increasingly being defined in terms of person-environment transactions. Puzzling individual behavior may take on fresh significance when viewed within a broader system of forces (Andrews 1966, 1974; Carson 1969; Coyne 1976; Watzlawick et al. 1967). Psychotherapy, in particular, can usefully be viewed as a dyadic system in which both parties endeavor to define the relationship. The purpose of the present paper is to explore the interaction patterns associated with the hysterical personality from this perspective; and to identify relationships between these patterns and the therapeutic tactics which have proven most fruitful with hysterical patients. Since the bulk of clinical literature on hysteria is psychoanalytically based, the main emphasis of this paper will be on psychodynamic therapy. The smaller but growing body of material dealing with behavior therapy provides a fruitful basis for comparison and contrast. New case material will also be introduced to illustrate the main therapeutic principles discussed.

Psychotherapeutic management of a potential spirit medium.

Psychotherapeutic management of a potential spirit medium (shaman) in a modern University Hospital setting in Malaysia is described. Magical thinking, projection and spirit possession (trance state) occur during management. Discussion of management was based on what Heinz Wolff described as the psychotherapist's functions of (1) psychodynamic understanding; (2) the therapeutic function; and (3) the developmental function. This patient did not conform to the general criteria of a suitable patient for psychotherapy. But her willingness to engage in therapy contributed to a satisfactory outcome. The therapist's growth in cross-cultural therapeutic encounter seems to be prominent.