PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOANALYTICALLY ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM

With deepened insight into the psyche and an advancement in the field of therapeutic technique, the range of indications for psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy has been widened. Norweg ian psychiatry has been in the forefront in trying to treat severely d isturbed patients with psychotherapy, and psychoanalytically oriented therapy has an established position in treatment programmes for psychi atric patients in Norway. Changes in psychiatry, such as shorter lengt h of stay and increased number of forced admissions, are seen as a thr eat to this tradition. The need for research on psychotherapy is under lined and stress is put on the ethics of psychoanalysis and the psycho analytic attitude which can oppose the ''Furor Sanandi'', which can of ten be seen more as a symptom of the problems of the mental health car e system.