Four patients with psychotic illnesses and two with obsessional neuroses made unexpected recoveries attributable to psychological processes. They had been ill for periods ranging from 6 months to 19 years before first seen. All had physical therapies of several kinds including one who had approximately 500 ECT and another who had bimedial lobotomy. Follow-up after recoveries ranged from 6 to 24 years. In two cases psychotherapy (psychoanalytically orientated) was significant. Changed family dynamics, the support of a psychopomp, and the mobilisation of previously unrealized ego-resources were other significant psychological processes. Exhaustive re-evaluation of patients resistant to physical therapies is urged.
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