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Paranoia and anxiety are both recognized as experiences that are widespread in the general population. Studies have investigated the use of brief mindfulness-based interventions on both conditions,...

Ontological Addiction Theory is a metaphysical theory of mental illness which conceptualises psychological suffering in terms of excessive ego-centeredness. This study aimed to develop and validate the Ontological Addiction Scale (OAS) and compare OAS scores with mental health measures. A 31-item prototype scale was developed based on traditional Buddhist theory and contemporary models of addiction. An ego-centeredness form of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI) was the main criterion measure. For mental health measures, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used. The prototype OAS and two shorter versions showed excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Construct validity was evidenced by medium to large correlations with criterion measures. OAS scores showed strong correlations with PHQ-9, GAD-7 and RSES, suggesting a clear relationship between OAS and mental health. The OAS appears to be a valid and reliable instrument suitable for assessing OA.

This paper proposes that psychoanalytic psychotherapy can be a helpful form of treatment for certain autistic children. Some of the misconceptions surrounding this kind of treatment are discussed. The literature identifying a particular sub‐group of autistic children is then reviewed and the characteristics of this group, and the relationship of their difficulties to early trauma, are described. Using clinical material from work with a child who probably fell within this sub‐group, and who had very marked autistic features, the paper illustrates the importance of the therapist taking an active role in the therapy and how this helped the child to emerge from his withdrawn state. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of introducing themes of aggression, and of this being done in a playful way. The impact of trauma on children's development, with particular reference to the acquisition of language, is considered. The role of sibling rivalry as a factor is emphasised.

Jusqu'a present les cliniciens et les chercheurs en sante mentale du nourrisson ont eu tendance a se concentrer particulierement sur la dyade mere-nourrisson et, pour reprendre les termes de Fraiberg, sur les fantomes que la mere amene avec elle dans la chambre d'enfant. Cet article argumente qu'il faut faire tout aussi attention aux fantomes que le pere apporte si nous voulons maximiser notre impact therapeutique. Nous maintenons cependant que, bien au-dela du role individuel du pere, c'est la nature du couple parental que l'enfant rencontre qui est critique pour la future sante mentale du bebe. Ainsi, c'est la relation entre les parents et leur interaction qui cree le climat emotionnel au sein duquel le bebe est ne et qui determine la nature du couple parental interne qu'ils adopteront ensuite. Nous soutenons que la relation du couple doit donc etre ce sur quoi les interventions therapeutiques doivent d'abord se concentrer. Nos propos sont illustres avec du materiel clinique.

Les cliniciens et les chercheurs de la petite enfance ont eu tendance a se concentrer sur la dyade mere-enfant, et selon l’expression de Fraiberg, sur les fantomes que la mere emmene dans la chambre d’enfant. Ce travail commence par insister sur les fantomes que le pere peut amener, si nous voulons ameliorer notre efficacite therapeutique. De plus, nous pensons que au dela et au dessus du role individuel du pere, se situe de facon critique la nature du couple parental que l’enfant rencontre dans ce qui est en jeu pour la future sante mentale du jeune enfant. En fait, c’est la relation entre les parents et leur type d’interaction qui determine le climat emotionnel dans lequel nait l’enfant, et ceci va influencer la nature du couple parental « interne » que l’enfant va a son tour acquerir. Des lors, notre these est que c’est la relation du couple qui doit devenir la cible principale de nos interventions therapeutiques. Un materiel cliniques est apporte pour illustrer ces points.

This paper will describe work in progress with a boy who was 3.4 years old at the time of referral. At this time he had no speech and there were a number of marked autistic features in his presentation, although no formal diagnosis had been made. He had suffered the trauma of a life-threatening illness requiring major medical interventions at the age of 5 months and again at 18 months, which may have been the precipitating factor for his disturbance. He is from an intact family with an older sister and a younger brother and no apparent significant family pathology. During the course of his treatment - which has now been on-going for nearly three years - he has acquired a capacity for play and has become very talkative. Using extensive clinical material, the paper will explore the factors which may have contributed to his improvement, especially the modifications in technique introduced by the therapist in order to make contact with this little boy. Special attention will be given to the role of playfulnes...

This article describes the aims of child psychotherapy from a Kleinian perspective. Following a brief historical overview, it uses a children’s story and clinical material to suggest that one aim may be described as helping the child to reintegrate split- off parts of the personality. It is argued that this approach is significantly different from those that are targeted at symptom relief. The importance of interpretation is emphasized as the means by which the child is given an experience of being able to think about feelings that may previously have been disowned. The ability to own these feelings is seen as integral to mental health.

SUMMARY This paper seeks to demonstrate the case for establishing dedicated Infant Mental Health Services. It is argued that the 0–3 age-group is not well served by the current arrangement for the provision of mental health services along child/adult lines, and falls between these two stools. It is further argued that priority should be given to services for this group because of the immense potential of early intervention programmes. The nature and ethos of such services are discussed, and it is suggested that the time is now ripe for Infant Mental Health to be given institutional recognition as a distinct specialism in its own right.

This article describes some of the principles informing a psychoanalytically orientated approach to brief therapy with parents and under-fives. A short account is given of the history of this approach, followed by an extended clinical illustration. The advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed and some of the features that are most typical of this kind of work are described.

Summary The author takes as his starting point the view that mental health requires the existence of a satisfactory relationship between internal (psychic) and external reality. He discusses the nature of the ‘membrane’ that exists between these two realities and the qualities required for it to function adequately. He explores the possible developmental origins of this ‘membrane’, and the different ways in which its establishment may miscarry. He illustrates one of the ways in which this process may go wrong when the ‘membrane’ has become excessively reinforced. He illustrates this with clinical material from a schizoid, adult patient who had taken refuge in external reality and with material from a child patient with autistic spectrum disorder. Links are made to Freud's views on the establishment of the Reality Principle, the process of splitting and the importance of the mechanism of disavowal. There is some speculation as to the possible aetiology of the pathology in the two cases described, and the d...

This paper discusses the relative neglect of the role of the father by researchers and parent–infant psychotherapists. It goes on to describe reasons why the father's role is of developmental significance. Using clinical examples, it is suggested that it is often critical to ensure that fathers are included if the therapeutic work is to have the best chance of success. Two particular aspects of the father's contribution are considered, namely the direct influence that his own “ghosts” may exercise on the parent–infant relationship, and a slightly more indirect role that he may play as the other half of the parental couple. © 1999 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

(1998). The Tavistock Clinic Diploma/MA in Infant Mental Health. Infant Observation: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 101-104.

In this paper I review some of the literature on soiling. Clinical material is then brought from three soiling children who each showed retentive features, and who were able to benefit from individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I suggest that in each case the symptom was indicative of a particular type of object relationship characterized by an excessive need to exercise omnipotent control over the object. The material demonstrates that this control served a defensive function, namely to protect the child from fully accepting the psychic reality of the Oedipal couple. A hypothesis is put forward as to the early antecedents of this situation.

This article gives an account of the conceptual framework informing the practice of child psychotherapy and its applicability to work with children in care. Case material is brought to illustrate the therapeutic potential of this approach, but also the limitations imposed by the need to ensure a sufficiently reliable setting for such a treatment. The consequences and the implications of the failure of that setting are discussed.

Part I: Mainly Theory. O'Shaughnessy, The Absent Object. Novick, Hurry, Projection and Externalisation. Rosenbluth, Transference in Child Psychotherapy. Alvarez, Problems in the Use of the Countertransference: Getting It Across. Part II: Mainly Clinical. Hoxter, The Experience of Puberty. Henry, Doubly Deprived. Tonnesman, Adolescent Re-enactment, Trauma and Reconstruction. Rustin, Finding a Way to the Child. Hopkins, Solving the Mystery of Monsters: Steps Towards the Recovery from Trauma. Part III: Mainly Applied. Salzberger-Wittenberg, The Use of "Here and Now" Experiences in a Teaching Conference on Psychotherapy as a Means of Gaining Insight into the Nature of the Helping Relationship. Lyth-Menzies, The Development of the Self in Children in Institutions. Daws, Standing Next to the Weighing Scales.