A touching insight into the life of a schizophrenic artist

Irja Bergström´s dissertation is an interesting reading and gives a touching insight into the life of a schizophrenic artist within Swedish mental health services during the twentieth century. The analysis may be worthwile even for those who are skeptical towards the psychodynamic elements.

Some obsolete statements
Some of the statements are now obsolete. On page 30 in the dissertation Bergström writes: "We now know that anorexia is above all caused by a disturbed relation with the mother." There is no scientific evidence behind this assertion, which moreover has the unfortunate effect to burden the mothers of anorectic children with guilt. It is the same with the suggestions on page 30 that the relation with her mother lies behind Ester´s falling ill in schizophrenia.

Popular version
A popular version of Irja Bergström´s dissertation is published in Swedish in 2001.