[Psychoanalytical aspects regarding etiology and understanding of schizophrenic psychoses]

The author -- specialized in Psychiatry and Neurology as well as a Psychoanalyst -- reports her experience during some decades of treating patients with schizophrenia in greatly different hospitals and institutions. Many examples demonstrate that psychoanalytical knowledge and recognizing psychodynamic connections can essentially contribute to understanding and treating psychotic patients. From the multitude of psychoanalytic theories on the etiology of schizophrenia some aspects are demonstrated, mainly those regarding their use in practical work. Some of them are: ego-disturbance, the psychotic symptom as a defence mechanism and the problem of countertransference. Regarding the ego-disturbance some examples show that usually not all ego-functions are impaired. Thus, cognitive functions may not only frequently be preserved, but may be working even better than usual. Out of numerous mechanisms of defense in schizophrenia projection, identification, projective identification, splitting, denial and regression are especially important. Moreover, psychotic patients frequently show certain symptoms that are related to very personal experiences. They can often be recognized quite easily as defence mechanisms. Countertransference is of great importance when treating such patients. Three of these numerous phenomenous are mentioned especially: anxiety, compassion, which may lead to identification, and the incapacity to accept the limit of therapeutic measures. The author is convinced that the so-called "psychodynamic" and "biological" psychiatry are not in opposition. Splitting them is not justified because according to the different stages of illness treatment with drugs as well as with different psychotherapeutic methods, even with psychoanalytical ones and social rehabilitation, are necessary. The etiology of schizophrenic psychosis cannot be explained with psychoanalysis either. Yet, the knowledge of psychodynamic processes can contribute essentially to understanding the illness and treating the patient. The compliance accomplished thereby can improve the quality of life of the patient and possibly for the therapist too.