Convulsion Therapy in War Psychoneurotics
All cases treated, save one, in a series of 40 selected cases of war-time psychoneurotics improved in varying measure as a result of convulsion therapy, though the ultimate prognosis as to the return of these patients to duty is poor. This, in practically all cases, is not due to the inefficiency of treatment, but to the negative therapeutic attitude of the patient. The best results are achieved in those cases where the effect of the removal of the symptom on the patient is most impressive, e.g. hysterical inability to walk. Similarities and differences between convulsive treatment of psychoneurotics and psychotics are described. The psycho-dynamics of the therapy are discussed and the theoretical significance of certain phenomena are considered.