Operators and Things: The Inner Life of a Schizophrenic

摘要: Things: The Inner Life of a Schizophrenic. By Barbara O'Brien. Price, $3.95. Pp. X-f-166. Introduction by Michael Maccoby; prefatory note L. J. Reyna. Arlington Press, 30 St., Cambridge, Mass., 1958. A report on schizophrenia as seen from that usually inaccessible point observation, the patient, cannot but be welcomed student this disorder and psychiatrist who must deal with it. This small book, such report, brings into high focus some everintriguing problems schizophrenia. trained investigator will recognize them. Yet in writing down her experiences author is contributing irreplaceably to our knowledge. It may said at outset any person field can read book profit enjoyment. essence story : An obviously sensitive woman, apparently «lidtwenties, unmarried, wakes one morning "to find three gray somewhat wispy figures standing bedside." These visual hallucinations deliver compulsive order, which she obeys "I packed clothes mounted Greyhound bus, they directed," off went—to California (as far you go without visa), Canada, New Orleans. She had adventures. stayed out mental hospitals—was refused admission (a nonresident state), talked way another after day's residence. remission came spontaneously breakdown been sudden. With psychoanalytic therapy returned integration. What actually happened? symptoms narrative are those simon-pure hallucinations, auditory; punning (once only, time, p. 14), theme perseverâtes transformed something concrete ("Time was all about me," 15) ; episodes affectless-