[Approach of the family in general hospital psychiatry (author's transl)]

The new theoretical models propounded for understanding family relationship dynamics are very useful in psychiatric hospital care. In our paper two clinical observations exemplify how a systematic understanding of psychiatric disorders, which replaces the symptom within the family system, and an individual psychodynamic understanding can be combined, and how interviews with the whole family group can help in setting up a therapeutic program which the patient perceives clearly. We believe that, with this method, the patient's and his family's abilities for change and care are best availed of.