In the case of seizures which are difficult to diagnose, the demonstration of epilepsy-typical graphoelements in the EEG confirms the suspected presence of an epilepsy. Activation methods are employed, since epilepsy-typical potentials may be even absent in established cerebral convulsibility in the routine wake EEG. The purpose of these method is the activation of epilepsy-typical potentials in patients, whereas the activation should not be so strong that those potentials may also be activated in healthy persons - since they can be provoked by a sufficiently strong stimulation in any individual. Hyperventilation, photostimulation, sleep, sleep deprivation and, in addition, drug provocation with Bemergrid, have proved most effective in routine diagnostic procedures; the diagnostic significance of the latter is still most problematic. - The various activation methods show a variably marked effect in the different types of seizures.
The working hypothesis is investigated that chronic schizophrenia could differ from acute schizophrenia not only phenomenologically, but also in its causes. The following arguments in favour of the hypothesis that chronic schizophrenia could mainly be a psychosocial "artefact", caused by the psycho-social consequences of acute attacks of illness, are presented 1. institutionalisme and understimulation; 2. non-specifity of many phenomenons attributed to "chronic schizophrenia"; 3. great variability of long-term courses; 4. lack of influence of genetic factors on long-term course; 5. importance of social factors for long-term course; proposition of a "general principle of psychosocial inertia"; 6. family influences; 7. lack of sufficient proofs for a clearcut illness-concept. --On the other hand the following arguments against the artefact-hypothesis are discussed: 1. the question of "irreversible residual states"; 2. organic and biochemical arguments; 3. genetic arguments; 4. the problematic distinction between acute and chronic schizophrenia; 5. the ubiquity of chronic schizophrenia. --On the whole, the arguments in favour of the artefact-hypothesis seem more pertinent, but more research is needed for a definite decision.
Several opinions on the paintings and drawings of patients with mental disorder are referred. In a historical summary the authors who have a more diagnostical approach are confronted with those who are more interested in creative aspects. Finally the psychodynamical analysis of creative processes is stressed. From this point of view it is attempted to describe the relations between schizophrenia, creativity and art.
Endogenous psychoses are pathological disorders of time sensation. Disorders generally classified as "mental insanity", "mental illness" or "psychoses" are disorders involving time. The mind can become derailed or go astray on the lines of time consciousness. Mental and biological life are inseparably interlinked on the basis of time, and will be apprehended by perception and experience as a uniform structure within the co-ordinates of space and time. In this manner, the "Body and Soul" problem loses the character of an insoluble riddle.
A general survey of the borderline literature is presented. The diagnostic label "borderline" has predominantly been used in North America; nevertheless, many roots of this conception originate in the classical European psychiatry and psychoanalysis. The various diagnostic (mainly descriptive) criteria and characteristics of the borderline are discussed, as well as the most important psychoanalytic hypotheses and conceptions (such as splitting, projective identification, identity diffusion). The therapeutic principles are mentioned as well. The analysis of the surveyed literature reveals on the one hand, that a well defined borderline exists neither as a generally acknowledged clinical entity nor as a circumscribed psychopathological syndrome. On the other hand, there are three various borderline concepts clearly discernible: 1) borderline conceptualized as a form of schizophrenia, 2) borderline conceptualized as synonymous with the general category of psychopathy (personality disorder) and 3) borderline conceptualized as a special form of psychopathy.
