Book Reviews

NEW UNDERSTANDINGS OF HUMAN BE­HAVIOR. Edited by Harold D. Werner, ACSW,New York. Association Press, 1910, 286 pages,$1.95.

Currently it is fashionable for members of thebehavioral professions and the laity to attackFreudian theory. This is scientifically correct,provided, scientific technique is utilized. However,Werner selects his material to prove a point.

He presents non-Freudian readings from pro­fessional journals published during 1960-1968 writ­ten by an impressive group of contributors. How­ever, "for the most part, the psychoses have beenomitted" as has organic disease which Freud in­cluded in his studies to universalize psycho­analytic theory. In general, Werner's materialemphasizes the operation of social factors in pro­dUcing mental illness. The unconscious, regressionand ego defenses among other Freudian conceptsare believed to be unnecessary in the stUdy andtreatment of neurosis.

Although the editor sees the challenge of men­tal illness, his opportunity is lost to sophistries,contradictions, "shoulds," "musts," beliefs, op­timism, pessimism and personal feelings whichhave no place in science. Moreover, in the at­tempt to make culture an independent entity, likeothers, he overlooks its source in the psychologyof man.

The entire work reveals a flight from instinct.Its type of therapy, where successful is a "flightinto health". For most patients, as I have shownmany years ago, this approach is necessary. But,it is no "cure" and one should be aware that manyforms of treatment have been "successful"through the strength of the transference. Thinkof mother's chicken soup!

Let's stop shaking Freud's cradle of rest, what­ever the motivation. He contributed a strongfoundation on which to build. So, let's get on withthe task of attacking disease and really helpingthe miserable sick.

Regrettably, I cannot recommend Werner'sbook for the busy student of human behavior,however well organized and well written it is.

GEORGE :1. TRAIN, M.D.Brooklyn, N.Y.

276

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MELANCHOLY. ByMortimer Ostow, M.D. Harper and Row, Pub­lishers, N.Y., Evanston and London, 1910.

This portrayal of the complex psychologicalfactors which contribute to depression is an ex­cellent and most readable account, written by apsychoanalyst of renown who sees no conflict. inthe concomitant use of antidepressant drugs Withthe process of psychotherapy.

Depression is viewed as a method of comingto terms with family and with society when nor­mal relationships become impossible. In the lat­ter years (fifth and sixth decades) many becomedisillusioned because of their failure to obtainanticipated gratification. Sometimes this occursin the face of material success.

Depression includes a component of anger,whether it is visible or not, and whether it is con­scious or otherwise. This anger is actually againstthe individual who is expected to provide love (orapprobation) but who fails to do so; an inabilityto direct anger outwardly (for fear of further lossof love) results in its retroflexion against oneself.The depressed individual is then obsessed with theneed for self-criticism, fault-finding and debase­ment. Food is avoided as if to starve oneself andthus expiate guilt. This despite the reality thatthe guilt is perhaps better related to an inflamedand hypertrophied conscience rather than to theactual facts of the case.

In attempting to help the individual patientit is essential to consider vulnerability, the trig­gering episode and the failure of defenses. A mostcommon trigger is intense ambivalence, an irre­concilable hatred .and clinging love for the sameperson. Depression is frequently triggered by aloss, but it is important to note that it is not mere­ly the loss itself, but the anger which is generated.Some losses are qUite concrete, but perhaps themost severe is a loss in self-esteem.

The book is recommended most highly to thosewho seek a broader understanding of the psycho­dynamics involved in this most common disorder.Perhaps, in the near future with further research,biochemical, neurophysiological and socioculturalfactors can eventually become integrated withthese most significant psychological concepts.

W.D.

Volume XIII