On May 29th, we will begin a discussion of The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 8, Chapters XX & XXI. The following chapter summaries were prepared by Manu Jaaskelainen.
Ch. XX Medical Course at Urban Hospital -
Lecture No. 16 continues the discussion of the previous case of a man, 41. Adler points out that the fear of women controls the life of this client. His relationship with his mother was highly problematic--from her he had his fear of syphilis. He was married twice, but his marriages were unhappy. At the end of the lecture, Adler devotes some thoughts to the possible danger of suicide that may lurk behind all the anxieties of this client. However, Adler's assesment of the total situation is optimistic--in the end, the client will learn to abandon his many aggressions, and he will become "a fellow man no longer filled with anger at those around him."
Ch. XXI
Lecture No. 17 is a study of the neuroses. There is a case illustration of a woman, 40, who is argumentative and fearful. This lady appreciated the society of intellectuals, but her attitude with regard to men was as if she lived in enemy territory. In spite of this, she had a number of contacts with men. There is again a record of an interview with this lady. Adler encourages her, and says: "Things will look up again for you; you need only to talk this out."
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