ORE than 200 cases of childhood schizophrenia have been referred141 for study and treatment to the Children's Ward of Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital over a period of twelve years. The work of Bender and others has made it possible to recognize an increasing number of schizophrenic children and has provided us with more effective criteria for their differentiation from cases of mental deficiency, organic brain disease, and severe neurotic disorder. Many of these children have been followed closely for years with sustained contact with their families. As these longitudinal studies continue, we are impressed increasingly with problems presented by the parents.We have found that, despite their great need, the parents of our schizophrenic children tend not to accept help readily. They frequently come to us through necessity rather than by choice, many as a last resort. In some
223 224 ROUNDTABLE: DIFFERENTIAL STUDY OF PSYCHOPATHY 226 ROUNDTABLE: DIFFERENTIAL STUDY OF PSYCHOPATHYto intellectual exercises for "improvement of minds." The family was socially minded and laid little stress on material things. Attitudes of both parents were permissive, democratic and nondemonstrative. Chronological excerpts from Jay's history read as follows: 23 years: Adequate adjustment in nursery school. Some tendency toward dependence on teacher. Still sucks thumb and fingers. Unusually imaginative play.3-4years: Eager for more social success than he achieves. Natural capacity for leadership. Vivid and constructive imagination. Very honest. Easily annoyed when thwarted. Relies too much on grownups. 5-6 years: Developed qualities of leadership. Feeling of responsibility for the group. Unusually imaginative play. Some unusual fears, as of falling from high places, etc. Seldom bothered by lack of factual knowledge.6-Sa years: Doing well in school. Somewhat more independent. Vivid imagination.83years: H e and his brother out of school for four months with ''virus infection." Occasional bouts of fever. Not very ill. H e and brother housed in same room which was largely the center of family activities for four months. A delightful period during which he had almost every wish gratified and was very close to father and mother. Upon return to school, found it difficult to make up the lost work, and the principal of the school, a very dear friend of the family, had been dismissed. The following fall the father left the country for six months and Jay enrolled, a t his own insistance, in the school of excessively high standards in which his father had taught. 9 years: Did very poor schoolwork. Began to have periods of temper toward schoolmates and mother. 9;ll years: On three different occasions "ran away" a t examination time, packing suitcase, going about two blocks, then changing his mind, taking the examinations and failing them. Father home from overseas. Began stealing things from boys at school. Continued growth of temper outbursts. Failure in school.IIyears: Stole a number of things from camp master who was friend of family. When they were discovered, he calmly announced that someone must have taken them from the master and that, by all means, they should be returned. Denied categorically any knowledge of how the stolen articles got among his possessions.11-15 years: Began stealing from mother, denying categorically when confronted with evidence of theft that he was in any way involved. Expressed concern that anyone could think he would steal. Stole money from brother's girl's pocketbook. Was deeply injured when brother confronted him with the evidence. Denied categorically that he had ever touched the money. Threatened to shoot mother and got out the gun, when she refused because of his severe cold to take him in the car where he wished to go. Mother took gun away from him, called father to come home, and then father took him where he wanted to go. Another instance, shot a t mother-or near mother-when she ca...
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