PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P C Sandler

Publications and source records attributed to P C Sandler.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

The apprehension of psychic reality: extensions of Bion's theory of alpha-function.

The author proposes the need for a term which describes a universal primitive tendency of the human mind to concretise non-sensual mental phenomena. Drawing on Bion's theory of thinking, he suggests that there is an active process whereby alpha-elements are transformed into beta-elements, which can then masquerade as intelligible sense data. This process is identified and illustrated through a series of clinical vignettes in which the analyst was tempted to relate to the patient's material as if it were truly describing concrete external reality rather than disguising immaterial psychic reality. He introduces the term anti alpha-function, to name the process, linked with projective identification, operating in the mind of both patient and analyst, by which painful depressive-position experience may be evaded. He suggests this kind of mental functioning is far more widespread in society than is immediately apparent, accounting for serious distortions in our collective relationship to reality.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Critical evaluation of community psychiatry].

The present study is a critical evaluation on community psychiatry concepts and practice, in a effort to improve it. The authors point basic aspects on social psychiatry through theoretical issues and make the evaluations by the use of three levels: 1st) the sociological level, where they examine revolutionary adjectives and connotations commonly given to community psychiatry and its role as a social control weapon; 2nd) the intermediate level (interaction analysis), where they examine the real contributions, in terms of advancements in patients care and also some therapeutic community-linked aspects; and the 3rd), the intrapsychic level, where they examine inner needs and motivations that may be found in a professional commitment to this field. There are some comments on laymen's work when they are commited with a tradicionaly medical area.

Community Psychiatry↗
PubMed1978

[Schizophrenia and birth order].

With the possible most powerful goodness-of-fit test available until now, the Halperin's chi-square, a statistically significant association between schizophrenia and birth order in 1016 brazilian patients is reported. This association is with early and last born males, favoring theories which put emphasis on stressful experiences over children who are in the extremes of their sibships. There is a sex factor: females show no association. Factors which could introduce bias, as family size, social class and incomplete sibships were tentatively controlled. Since in Brazil no population data are available, the Greenwood-Yule method seems useful and valid for the purpose, with the aid provided by Halperin's chi square modification. A brief comment on results and earlier studies is made, together with suggestions for future research.

Adolescent↗