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A Remission Through Crisis in Ulcerative Colitis

Ralph J. Kahana

Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 1962 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-196209000-00007 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A man with ulcerative colitis undergoing psychotherapy
Intervention Psychotherapy
Citations 2
Key findings The authors report that a psychological crisis, marked by hypnagogic hallucinations and dreams of the kind described by Isakower, Lewin, and Rycroft, preceded remission of the patient's bowel dysfunction. They argue that the illness and crisis represent the patient's attempt to incorporate a constant, consistently gratifying maternal image.

Abstract

The psychotherapy of a man with ulcerative colitis is reported in which a psychological crisis preceded remission of bowel dysfunction. This turning point featured hypnagogic hallucinations and dreams, including phenomena reported by Isakower, Lewin, Rycroft, and others. The deeper psychological meaning of the illness and the crisis is seen as the patient's attempt to incorporate a constant, consistently gratifying maternal image.