[Psychodynamic observations on a group of patients treated with lithium carbonate (author's transl)]

Abstract

The authors consider some psychodynamic aspects which may have influences Lithium Carbonate therapy in 45 patients. Transfer and contra-transfer situations are considered emphasizing how Lithium therapy with its characteristic features may promote a peculiar relationship with the therapist answering some of the needs of cyclothymic patients. The physical needs of dependence from the therapist who controls both ingestion and expulsion of Lithium can be accepted without feeling of guilt by the patient as it usually happens in cyclothymic pre-genital personalities. Lithium allows the therapist to appear as if he had great power on the patient and makes it possible for the therapist to avoid the anxiety of losing the patient at the end of the episode and to accept the pre-genital relationship as a necessity in order to continue his therapy.