Loving and Curing the Neurotic

Book excerpt: "This breakthrough book is the product of many years of rethinking the psychology and psychopathology of the 'normal' man: a rethinking triggered by the authors' disenchantment with the philosophy and therapy of psychoanalysis, with its emphasis on the psychology of the 'abnormal' individual. "As psychiatrists and as Christians," write Doctors Terruwe and Baars, "we are not satisfied with merely restoring our patients to their former level of usefulness in society. We want to go beyond utilitarian criteria of performance or adjustment and assist our patients in attaining that level of happiness commensurate with their potentials." The failure of traditional therapy to help many of their patients led the authors to the formulation of a new theory of neurosis - the frustration neurosis. In this massive book the authors unfold this new theory, deeply rooted in Aristotelian and Thomistic philosophy, in as style accessible to both the professional and the intelligent layman. Happily so, since this massive work will be a boon to clergymen, social workers and anyone counselling troubled people. Needless to add, its importance to psychiatrists can hardly be exaggerated. Some of our most creative and intelligent people are emotionally ill. But they can be cured. In clinical detail, with a wealth of case histories, the authors show ho their new theory has proved itself in daily counselling. Doctors Terruwe and Baars are well aware that their theory of frustration neurosis is a challenge to the other schools of psychiatry. For one thing, some of their ideas are rooted in the insights of philosophers whom most psychiatrists have tended to ignore. Yet the proof is in the results, and the authors set forth an impressive record. Every open-minded psychiatrist - indeed everyone who works in counselling - will want to give Doctors Terruwe and Baars a careful reading." --