The incidence of life crises occurring prior to the onset of symptoms was documented in fifty patients with ulcerative colitis and was found to be significantly higher in the patient group than in a matched group of normal control subjects. The gain or loss of psychic object to the individual patient has been emphasized as relevant in the etiology of this illness. Birth and death–actual, threatened, symbolic or fantasied-occurring within the previous twelve months preceded illness onset in 94 per cent of cases.
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