A Type of Disability Neurosis: The Humpty Dumpty Syndrome

Abstract

Eight selected male patients with disability neurosis are presented. Past histories were remarkably similar in that they indicated childhood deprivation, premature independence and early excessive responsibility. It is hypothesized that these men reacted to injury or illness with a crumbling of previous defenses against massive dependency wishes and that their symptoms are perpetuated by ambivalent relationships with employers and physicians. Treatment needs to be prophylactic before the symptoms become so entrenched as to be refractory to therapeutic intervention.