[Resistance in the psychotherapy of depression]

Analysing sources, forms, and dynamic significance of resistance in individual analytically orientated psychotherapy applied to a randomly composed sample of 22 patients with a major depressive episode (12 females and 10 males), the author has found that resistance comes from all dynamic systems and that it should be looked upon through the prism of a deep narcissistic regression as reaction to narcissistic traumas and the concept of depressive disturbances as the interaction between genetic-biochemical, psychological, and sociological factors. Forms of resistance and their functions are described in more detail. The dynamic significance of resistance lies in the defence of the narcissistic injuries of the vulnerable self and a further disorganization of mental functions. The nature and dynamic importance of resistance in depressive patients determine the kind of therapeutic interventions which essentially differ from procedures in the psychotherapy of neuroses.