ABSTRACT:
Early Gestalt theoretical contributions in the field of psychopathology have attracted increased interest over the last years. This field of application of Gestalt psychology was in fact of great interest and importance for the founders of Gestalt theory. 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 general 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 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 metatheoretical concepts of Gestalt theory listed by Wolfgang Metzger (the epistemological, psychological, psychophysical, methodological und system-theoretical concept).
