ABSTRACT:
Early Gestalt theoretical contributions in the field of psychopathology have attracted increased interest over the last years. Five years ago the Schulte/Wertheimer thesis on paranoia (1924) was called back to mind by Michael Ruh at the 9th Scientific Convention of the GTA in Osnabrück. Ruh pointed out the topicality and potential of this thesis for understanding not only paranoic but also other severe psychic disturbances. From there a vivid discussion about the foundations and implications of this thesis took its course within the psychotherapy section of the GTA which still continues. Independently from that but at the same time - also five years ago - Kevin Crochetière, Nealy Vicker, James Parker, D. Brett King und Michael Wertheimer from the University of Colorado made a contribution to the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in New York which presented and discussed early applications of Gestalt theory in the field of clinical psychology and psychopathology (also including the SCHULTE thesis). This indicates renewed interest for a field of application of Gestalt theory which was in fact of great interest and importance for the founders of Gestalt theory and in which they stimulated and influenced scientific and research work of several of their students and other sympathizing psychiatrists and psychotherapists. But as a matter of fact, though Gestalt theory based or influenced work in this field was continued and developed over these last eight decades in many countries, its promising approach and findings have not yet found the broad resonance, integration and advancement which it deserved.
In an introductory overview some rudimentary information is given about the early beginnings of Gestalt theory application in the field of psychopathology and about its further development. Three of the early writings on psychopathology - inspired and influenced by Max Wertheimer - are presented briefly: The article by Heinrich Schulte 1924 on paranoia and the two articles by Erwin Levy on a case of mania (1936) and on the formal disturbance of thought (1943). Some comments on these writings are given focussing on some characteristics of the Gestalt theoretical approach to psychopathological disturbances. Finally an outline of basic characteristic ideas of a Gestalt theoretical psychopathology is presented, pointing out and discussing how these refer to the five interconnected meta-theoretical concepts of Gestalt theory listed by Wolfgang Metzger (the epistemological, psychological, psychophysical, methodological und system-theoretical concept).
