FOLIE A FAMILLE - THE NEED FOR FAMILY PERSPECTIVES IN PSYCHIATRY

A case of folie a famille is described. The presenting symptom bearer was a child thus necessitating psychiatric contact with his family. Th is prevented the folie a famille from remaining covert as may have occ urred had an adult presented in a similar manner. The possibility is r aised that folie a plusieurs has a higher incidence than previously be lieved. Criticism is made of the tendency of adult psychiatry and its diagnostic systems to focus purely upon the individual. The investigat ion, formulation and management of the case using the family is outlin ed.