The Schreber Case: A Reinterpretation from an Adult-Developmental Perspective

Abstract

Previous interpretations of the Schreber case have tended to focus on childhood factors which led to Schreber's delusional breakdowns, while ignoring the role of adult-developmental issues. In the current paper, a multicausal view is taken, considering childhood factors (e.g., being raised by an authoritarian father), psychosocial experiences (e.g., the failure to have children and the accompanying stress), and adult developmental issues (e.g., the psychological and moral challenges involved in assuming the position of judge in a high court) that, along with a biological predisposition—played a role in Schreber's mental illness. Within the context of this larger view of Schreber's life, it is then possible to understand better Schreber's own view—that being changed into a woman for God to create a new breed of men—was a solution to his psychological situation. This solution, however, is highly symbolic, concrete, and does not represent development but, rather, avoidance and a kind of regression. It is argued that the introduction of adult-developmental issues in this case allows for a more complete understanding of the case. The current account also represents an attempt to provide understanding while remaining true to the phenomenological experience of Schreber.