The psychodynamics of apocalyptic: discussion of papers on identification and the Nazi phenomenon.

The classical pattern of apocalypse, comprising in its active form, an initial phase of savage destruction followed by a phase of messianic rebirth, can be recognized in individual psychosis and in the Nazi type of destruction, persecution and virtual suicide. It can be clearly discerned also in Hitler's thinking and in the thinking of Eickhoff's Nazi-minded patient. The apocalyptic mood of Nazi society attracted this patient, for by identifying with it, she was able to overcome the isolation that her psychosis imposed upon her. The Holocaust, the other side of the Nazi apocalypse, evoked classical methods of mutual identification among the victims, but apocalyptic and messianic views became evident only after the immediate crisis had passed. The attempt to solve urgent problems by resort to apocalyptic campaigns has resulted in the murder of large numbers of Jews throughout history, and of others where there were no Jews. The international psychoanalytic community can take upon itself the task of detecting and unmasking such tendencies when and where they appear, in an effort to arrest the evolution of yet another apocalypse.

Myth and madness: a report of a psychoanalytic study of antisemitism.

This essay reports the findings and conclusions of a psychoanalytic study of antisemitism based upon case reports and classical, historical and literary documents. With respect to antisemitic sentiments, individual dynamics are overridden by stereotypical myths. After the definitive secession of early Jewish and Gentile Christ followers from the Jewish community at the end of the first century Common Era, the Jews were stigmatised and demonised by them and by the early Church fathers and labelled as a principle of evil, along with Satan, that was to blame for all Christian misfortune. The many antisemitic myths that evolved throughout the history of the Christian West all concurred in this theme. Apocalyptic thinking required such a principle as the source of the death phase, so that the elimination of Jews became the condition for the rebirth phase. In the presence of a sense of disorganization and chaos, societies congeal into fundamentalist groups that require a mythic enemy. These groups tend to cultivate apocalyptic paranoia. Under those circumstances, anti-Jewish sentiment and discrimination become active persecution. The essay, and to a much greater extent, the book upon which it is based, examine some of the findings of the case studies, analyse apocalyptic thinking and describe the psychology of the fundamentalist community.

Pharmacologic treatment of manic and depressive illness.

In following the course of any patient who is being treated with psychiatric medication, the treating physician must at all times focus on the course of the primary symptom complex for which the treatment was undertaken; the therapeutic changes induced by the medication, following an appropriate latency; toxic side-effects and other effects of the medication, and their influence upon the patient's resistance to drug therapy and psychotherapy; the effect of the movement on the manic-depressive spectrum induced by the drug on the patient's affect, attitude, and behavior; and the psychodynamic responses to all these inputs.

The sources and signs of Jewish identity.

In order to resolve some of the complexities and paradoxes involved in the concept of Jewish identity, the author suggests making a distinction between a core identity and a manifest identity. The former is established early in childhood and is shaped by the specifically Jewish experiences of the young child. The latter represents the outcome of modifications, whether diluting or reinforcing, induced by subsequent experience. The essay includes a list of some of the more common "givers" of core Jewish identity, and some of the expressions of manifest identity. Usually the parents' expressions of manifest identity function as "givers" of the child's identity. The provision of identity cues in early childhood facilitates but does not guarantee subsequent Jewish identification. Many other personality and fortuitous features, internal or external or both, influence the ultimate outcome.

The examination dream revisited. A clinical note.

In each of three dreams reported to me fortuitously within a few days of each other, the patient was anxious about a forthcoming medical examination. Two of the patients reported a sense of guilt for immoral behavior; the feared illness could be interpreted as punishment.