THE ODYSSEY – A JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVE: INDIVIDUATION AND MEETING WITH THE ARCHETYPES OF THE COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS

Homer's epic tale of the 20-year return of Odysseus from the Trojan War is investigated with particular reference to Jung's theory of individuation. Odysseus' meetings with 'the anima' in the form of goddesses, sirens and female monsters and his visit to Hades demonstrate the confrontation and humanization of aspects of the archetypal level of the psyche, central to Jung's theories of psychic growth and development. Jung's important ideas of the psychoid level and the transcendent function are explored and linked both to his investigations into medieval alchemy and with findings from contemporary neuroscience. The importance of Jung's constructive method of the interpretation of dreams and myths is shown to be central.     

Transthoracic Rebiopsy for Mutation Analysis in Lung Adenocarcinoma: Outcomes and Risk Factors for the Acquisition of Nondiagnostic Specimens in 199 Patients

PurposeTo determine the outcomes of transthoracic rebiopsy for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma and to explore the clinical and procedure-related risk factors for the acquisition of nondiagnostic rebiopsy specimens.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 367 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent transthoracic core needle biopsy for mutation analysis from September 2011 to October 2016. Of these, 199 patients underwent rebiopsy. Patient characteristics, treatment history, target lesion characteristics, and procedure-related factors were evaluated. The adequacy rate of specimens for mutation analysis was evaluated. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the independent predictors of nondiagnostic specimens.ResultsNinety percent of specimens (179 of 199) were adequate for mutation analysis. The EGFR mutation (exon 18-21) was 65% (117 of 179) and the EGFR T790M mutation 33% (59 of 179) of specimens. In univariable analysis, an internal low-attenuation area in the target lesion (P = .001) and pleural contact (P = .004) on computed tomography were significant risk factors for nondiagnostic specimens. In multivariable analysis, an internal low-attenuation area in the target lesion (odds ratio = 7.333; 95% confidence interval, 1.755-30.633; P = .006) was an independent predictor for acquisition of nondiagnostic specimens.ConclusionImage-guided transthoracic rebiopsy to obtain specimens for mutation analysis in lung adenocarcinoma provides high diagnostic accuracy, with a low rate of nondiagnostic specimens. The presence of internal low-attenuation area in the target lesion on computed tomography was an independent predictor for acquiring nondiagnostic specimens.     

Chronic Lung Collapse: A Predictable Impediment to Ipsilateral Lead Placement

Implantation of a permanent transvenous pacemaker was undertaken in a patient with longstanding, complete collapse of the right lung. Unanticipated distortion of the lead path prevented entirely introduction of a right subclavian sheath and rendered lead placement from a right cephalic venotomy extremely difficult. An angioplasty guidewire substituted for the standard stylets proved useful in positioning the lead. This report describes the predictable venous deformity, illustrates the consequent impediment to ipsilateral lead placement, and discusses why contralateral entry sites should be superior in cases of massive loss of lung volume.     

Illuminating nursing's shadow side through a Jungian analysis of the film Fog in August

Fog in August is a German film based on Robert Domes' historical novel of the same name. The film provides a fictionalized account of the institutionalization and eventual killing of children and adults labelled as a burden on the State and unworthy of life. On one level, this is a story of good versus evil, where innocent patients are manipulated by callous doctors and nurses. At a deeper level, however, it is possible to read the characters as more complex and such a reading gives an insight into the paradox of how a genocidal policy was able to be systematically implemented by health care professionals who had previously taken an oath to provide care to all people. Carl Jung argued that powerful stories, told across generations, contain mythical archetypes that help drive the plot and convey beliefs about humanity. The aims of this paper are to explore Jungian ideas within Fog in August that help the historical story it is based on resonate with viewers today, and demonstrate how the application of these insights can help health care professionals more fully understand morally distressing events and, as a result, support and improve the safety of patients.     

Failure and Transformation in the Relationship Between Patient and Therapist

In the field of addictions, the changes believed to be effective by health professionals are usually those founded on programs based on the idea of control. However, control has its own limitations, and failures. Some failures in treating addiction appear to start a transformation of experience, be it personal or regarding the therapeutic relationship. A typical example of failure and transformation is how Alcoholics Anonymous works; this was originated by the spiritual direction that Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung gave to one of his alcoholic patients. In extreme cases of the patient's death, professionals may experience absolute defeat and powerlessness. In any case, failure implies a deflation of the ego and the defeat of egocentrism.     

The matrix,group processes and dramatherapy

There is a paucity of published work on how group process informs the teaching and practice of dramatherapy. This article investigates ideas on groups and group therapy from the fields of analytical psychology and group analysis, and goes on to develop these in the context and practice of dramatherapy. First, the phenomenon of regression in groups from Foulkesian and Jungian perspectives is addressed, highlighting contrasting theories on the potential and pitfalls of group experience. The idea of the ‘matrix’ as a multi-layered intersubjective field in the group (Foulkes) and/or the entirety of the unconscious (Jung) is explored, offering a background for discussion on the nature of interpersonal and intrapsychic connections. Sesame drama and movement therapy is referred to as an approach which introduces cultural symbols through fairy tale and myth, and offers the chance to explore these through dramatherapy methods. The moment when a group creates a ‘montage’ from images from a story offers an example of a ‘constellation’ of the group matrix, which can lead to different modes of expression. The article finishes by returning to broader questions of group therapy as set out by Jung, and examining these in light of the ritual enactment of myth.     

Art therapists continuing education: A scottish perspective

Abstract

Education, both core and continuing, remains a crucial factor in the emergence of the profession of art therapy. Changes to the nature of work and employment during the 1990s have intensified the requirement that education, continuing education and employment are viewed as a continuum, essential to good practice. This article examines the perceptions of art therapists living and working in Scotland, regarding their continuing educational experiences, based upon a survey of Scottish BAAT members conducted in 1997. The subject of art therapists continuing education is considered within the context of present and future prospects for members of the profession. The 1997 survey of Scottish art therapists found continuing education to be the subject of considerable feelings of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. It is not possible to draw definite conclusions regarding the causes of this dissatisfaction, but a number of factors emerge which are worthy of consideration.     

Using epistemic network analysis to identify targets for educational interventions in trauma team communication

Background

Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) is a technique for modeling and comparing the structure of connections between elements in coded data. We hypothesized that connections among team discourse elements as modeled by ENA would predict the quality of team performance in trauma simulation.