ABSTRACT
A sixty-five-year-old woman Hilde calls psychiatrist and asks for an appointment to discuss “marital troubles”. In addition to the distress she has on this score, she complains of a variety of physical ailments and lives “in constant fear of cancer”. She goes to the doctor’s almost every day. She also mentions about her son who has a chronic illness and “keeps her on her toes” although she never interferes in his affairs. Hilde’s voice is monotonous and accusing. The psychiatrist attempts to bolster her self-confidence with appreciative remarks get him nowhere. He advise her to lead a more independent life, but his own counsels sound vacuous to him. After twenty-five sessions, Hilde is very much better. Her outlook is positive, she has replaced her visits to the doctor with sporting and cultural activities.
