ABSTRACT
What is a problem? This can be de ned as facing a particular dif culty without having found an effective solution. Problems can be of a practical nature (dif culties with fractious colleagues) or of an emotional nature (guilt about being off work with illness); these two elements, the practical and emotional, frequently overlap. For example, a person who is depressed (emotional problem) about losing his job (practical problem) sees himself as a failure; this self-image is reinforced by his reluctance to look for another job. He gradually withdraws from others and takes solace in heavy alcohol use. This example can be seen as one of problem-creation, that is, the person’s initial dif culties are added to by the adoption of a counterproductive strategy (though the person’s internal experience might suggest it’s the right response to make in the circumstances).
