The case history as novella: plea for an anachronistic concept

Authors

  • Bernd Nitzschke

Abstract

The material upon which a case history is based is the result of a process of interaction between therapist and patient; to that extent such material is structured according to “subjective" conditions. There is basis for the criticism that recasting such material after the fact as a wider-reaching story invested with meaning may fall short of the scientific ideal of objectivity expected of empirical social research. Such a construction is nonetheless closer to the reality of how our memory works: it lends structure to an infinite number of events (experiences) and turns them into stories that have a beginning and an end. For this reason, I make a plea for a case history which gives detailed information on the origin, course, and treatment of a psychic illness.

Key words:
Case history; History of interactions; Construction; Reconstruction; Deferred action; Authenticity; Story telling

Author Biography

Bernd Nitzschke

Dr. phil. Bernd Nitzschke, Dipl.-Psych., geboren 1944, Studium der Psychologie, Philosophie, Soziologie und Politikwissenschaft, Psychoanalytiker, Lehranalytiker, Lehrauftrag in Hagen und Innsbruck, Mitbegründer von Luzifer-Amor, Wissenschaftlicher Beirat bei PsychoanalyseTexte zur Sozialforschung, Wissenschaftspublizist.

Korrespondenz: Dr. Bernd Nitzschke, Stresemannstraße 28, 40210 Düsseldorf, Deutschland.

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Published

2005-07-01

How to Cite

Nitzschke, B. (2005). The case history as novella: plea for an anachronistic concept. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, (3), 96–99. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/355

Issue

No. 3 (2005): Psychotherapie Forum 13/3 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Special Issue

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