ABSTRACT
What is a problem? This can be defined as ‘a present state of facing a particular difficulty without having found an effective solution’. Problems can be of a practical nature (e.g. difficulties with fractious colleagues) or of an emotional nature (e.g. guilt about being off work with illness), though, in practice, 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, i.e. the person’s initial difficulties are added to by the adoption of a counterproductive strategy (though the person’s internal experience might suggest it is the right response to make in the circumstances).
