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[A modern Kaspar Hauser]
Elmar Etzersdorfer1, Monika Schäfer, Johannes Becker-Pfaff
1Furtbachkrankenhaus, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Stuttgart. etzersdorfer@fbkh.org
Objective And Methods:
The case of a mentally disturbed young man is described, whose identity could not be revealed over more than four months. It is compared to Kaspar Hauser, similarities and differences are highlighted.
Results:
The "Kaspar Hauser of Stuttgart" is retrospectively revealed as a young man with experiences of severe deprivation. The missing case history and independent history were an obstacle in the treatment, albeit not fundamental, advantages being reached with a relation-oriented approach.
Conclusions:
Informations obtained after clarification of the identity of the young man suggest a multiplication of unfavourable circumstances, leading to sub-optimal treatment and finally the "Kaspar-Hauser-Situation". Contributing were his belonging to the less integrated group of migrants in Germany, as well as severe deprivation in the family and a generally sub-optimal treatment of mentally disturbed young patients.