RT Journal
T1 SAmmlung psychiatrischer und neurologischer einzeldarstellungen
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1939
FD January 7
VO 112
IS 1
SP 80
OP 80
DO 10.1001/jama.1939.02800010082028
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1939.02800010082028
AB The author reviews the current theories of hysteria and points out the flaws in each. He then postulates his own thesis that hysteria is a disturbance of "goal oriented activity." This peculiar concept is a descriptive pronouncement which does not further our knowledge of the dynamics of hysteria and its origin. His therapy consists in educational methods during childhood to strengthen goal seeking activity. He is not sure that therapy is possible for adults.