BASIC ASSUMPTIONS FOR A THEORY ON NEUROSI S AND PERSONALITY-DISORDERS

In this paper a two-dimensional theory is developed for the understand ing of neuroses and personality disorders which are conceptualized as spezific problems in the field of personal identity. The first dimensi on serves for the description of the symptomatology between the two po les anxiety and depression. The second dimension is right-angled to th e first. It differentiates according to the maturity of the personal i dentity between the two extremes mature neurotic personality organizat ion on the one hand and severe personality disorder on the other. Any specific neurosis or personality disorder can be allocated to the two axes of this model.