Psychosis and Near Psychosis ─ Ego Function, Symbol Structure, Treatment

The goal of psychotherapy as formulated in this revision of a classic text is to improve ego function of severely disturbed patients who are often hospitalized. This book shows why and how. It describes the psychotherapeutic techniques that aid patients to understand the meaning of the psychotic symbols so that they can experience reality and their emotions as separate entities. Medication effects and the neurobiology of psychotic and near psychotic patients are explained and evaluated in terms of specific ego dysfunction so that psychopharmacology may be targeted. With the first edition originally a recipient of the prestigious Heinz Hartmann Award, this valuable resource is a go-to guide for clinicians who treat patients suffering from crippling mental disorders.

Eric R. Marcus is the director of the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research and professor of clinical psychiatry in the department of psychiatry of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.