Biomedical subjects

P Abrahamsen

Publications and source records attributed to P Abrahamsen.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Simultaneous depression.

Five different strategies were used to detect cases in which depressed behaviour occurred in both spouses within the same time period (simultaneous depression). Among 7068 references on depression in the literature, only one referred to a case of simultaneous depression. Of 8008 registered individuals hospitalized in Norway from 1961-1971, none had simultaneous depression. A search of the total Scandinavian population (17.5 million) revealed only one case. The authors suggest that the result is caused by specific communication values attached to depressed behaviour and compensatory mechanisms in depressed couple relationships. The need for assessments that include the identified patient's family system in the planning of treatment for depression is discussed, with the aim to prevent cases of successful mistreatment in which the identified patient is cured while the spouse becomes depressed or commits suicide.

Communication↗

PubMed1977

A systems theory approach to a case of anorexia nervosa.

Systems theory views mental and psychosomatic illness as the natural consequences of a dysfunctional human interactional group. The symptom chosen is affected by the symptom carrier's age, sex, and unique individual characteristics. However, the reason the symptom develops and is maintained is to be found in the system(s) of which the symptom carrier is a part. A human system consist of two or more individuals who have an ongoing, often goal-directed, relationship with each other. The most important human system today is undoubtedly the family. The welfare of the individual is usually related to membership in a vital, well-adjusted family. A dysfunctional family easily becomes dependent on mental or behavioral deviations in one of its members as a means of preventing disintegration. We hope this article's description of a typical treatment situation will demonstrate how a systems theory approach differs from other forms of family therapy in its evaluations and techniques.

Adolescent↗