Studies in Neuroses

The Natural History of Neuroses: Problems of Methods and Substance

“…Other variables such as adequate I.Q. (14,39,48), high education (44,57) and good ego strength (15,44) were also found to be associated with good outcome. From these it seems implicit that learning is an important factor in improvement.…”

“…In most of the studies age was found to be unrelated (14,15,39,48,51) but Agras (1) and Noreik (50) demonstrated that younger patients have better outcomes, while Roberts (53) reported the opposite for house-bound housewives. Beiser (4) noted that female patients have a better prognosis, but most of the studies did not show this association (12-15, 28, 33, 48).…”

“…Depressive symptoms are often found to be remitting (14,19,33,50,53,62). Initial high anxiety or discomfort is a good prognostic pointer (21, 41,57), and this probably reflects acute self-limited crises.…”

Indications for Psychotherapy in a Psychiatric Clinic Population

“…Eitinger (1955) in this study made no attempt, however, to evaluate the therapy which had been of- Heiberg 157 fered. In a later study of neurotic patients who were treated at Lovisenberg Hospital in Oslo between 1969and 1970, Thaulow (1973 attempted to differ entiate between therapies.…”

“…In an earlier, 10-year follow-up study of neurotic patients treated in our clinic between 1940-1945(Eitinger, 1955, the traditional psychiatric diagnoses were not considered to be helpful in trying to distinguish between those patients who had a good and those who had a poor prognosis. Eitinger (1955) in this study made no attempt, however, to evaluate the therapy which had been of- Heiberg 157 fered.…”