Focal behavioral psychotherapy for acute narcissistic injury: "de mopes"--report of a case
Bennett, M.J.
American Journal of PsychoTherapy 39(1): 126-133
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9564 PMID: 3985223 Document Number: 263833
In order to be equal to the task of serving the mental health needs of the community, mental health professionals must develop methodology which is both effective and affordable, avoiding both undertreatment and overtreatment of those who need and seek their services. This fact is underscored by epidemiological data which suggest that up to 25 percent of the U.S. population suffers some form of demoralization, either alone or in combination with a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Using a case example drawn from the classical folk literature, the author presents a model for understanding the demoralized state and treating it through a simple focal model of psychotherapy based on behavioral prescription. This technique is held to be humane and cost-effective. The author considers the possible reasons for the traditional psychiatric community's neglect of the ubiquitous problem of demoralization and its behavioral concomitant, moping.