THE PATH TOWARD PSYCHODRAMA FAMILY PROCESS

Abstract

Moreno's psychodrama method of treating the mentally ill has been used by the author as a primary therapeutic procedure for several years now. My earliest employment on the staff of a state mental hospital enabled utilization of psychodrama with a wide range of patient types; the value of this approach to the various problems was quite impressive. It was quickly learned that surprisingly good results were obtained if the patient had even a moderately workable ego, though emotional instability might be rather pronounced. The demonstration films of Moreno working with a group were assiduously studied, and copied. Training received while attending his seminar-workshops was put to most extreme tests. Affective disorders ranging from very active hypomanias to near catatonic depressions were dealt with through the psychodrama procedure. It was soon found that limits could be located wherein hypomanics had to be authoritatively handled and prevented from disturbing the action on stage but not have their verbalizations suppressed too extremely. Group members adopted and learned to ignore the impulsive interruptions of disturbed friends, if some damper was put upon extreme acting out. These hyperactive individuals do not make the best candidates for psychodrama, however. More benefit
seemed to be derived from shy, somewhat withdrawn, inferiority-ridden persons who were most awkward in social skills; in other words, Adlerian complexes were noted to respond most readily to alteration in group psychodrama.