On May 22nd, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 8, Chapters XVIII & XIX. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.
Ch. XVIII Medical Course at Urban Hospital -
Lecture No. 12 is based on a casee study of a woman, 35, with neck spasm. Adler begins his presentation with a recapitulation of the findings of the medical examinations, conducted by three specialists. After this, Adler concentrates on the psychological approach. Adler says that "IP often begins at the point where medicine stops. ... the patient must be persuaded that despite her problems, she is capable of fulfilling her life tasks." There is again a record of an interview. Adler ends this interview with: "She who dares, wins!"
Ch. XIX
Lecture No. 15 continues the discussion of the previous case. There are comments on her weight loss. There is another case study of a man, 41, with anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and drinking. Adler emphasizes the importance the content in one's life may have. Without content, life may be empty and meaningless. So Adler recommends that people should learn something in addition to work. Something that makes people happy is needed, music, or other forms of cultural activities. The case of the man, 41, is a difficult case with a number of problems. In the light of the case history, Adler concludes that the man can feel himself safe only in the hospital, which leaves him unprepared to face the challenges of life. Even in this case, Adler tries to find something constructuve that would help the client to find his way out of his unbearable situation.
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