[Once upon a time there was a schizophrenic]

A series of 4 schizophrenic patients is described. In 2 it was unequivocally shown that acute outbreaks of "positive" symptoms were expressions of intrapsychic conflicts and in 1, the result of a therapist's error. In the first case, when the conflict was resolved, symptoms disappeared. 2 other cases were in the chronic phase. In both, long-term dynamically oriented psychotherapy resulted in reappearance of "lost" cognitive and affective functions. Thus, "negative" symptoms (so-called post-psychotic defects) are amenable to psychotherapy and potentially reversible. Concern is expressed about the exclusive biological approach to the understanding and treatment of schizophrenia.