Introduction the Case of Mr. Baker

THE PATIENT: Mr. Baker, a 43 year old man, married, and the father of two sons and a daughter (all in their teens), was referred to Dr. Balint in November, 1960 by the patient's concerned family doctor. A psychiatrist had previously seen the patient and had recommended hospitalization because of Mr. Baker's "increasing preoccupation with his wife's feelings towards a young man who seriously courted her before their marriage and with whom she had no further contact whatsoever." Mr. Baker experienced a "serious breakdown" about six years previously, which had gradually receded over several months.

During World War II the patient had been in Cyprus where he met his wife, a Turkish woman. They fell in love when he was 24—she was his first serious involvement, although he had several women before, mostly prostitutes. Her family opposed their relationship, because of racial and religious differences. Their sexual and emotional involvements were intense, short of intercourse, before he was sent to India. On the Burma front, he corresponded frequently with his fiancee-to-be, but after he was hospitalized for dysentery her letters stopped. He became agitated, cabled, and finally received a letter informing him that she had met a young Turkish officer (from Cyprus) and they had fallen for each other. She was uncertain as to which man to choose, and Mr. Baker wrote frequently imploring her to choose him. She wrote back that she had chosen Mr. Baker, had broken up with the other man (James), and he had departed. The couple had a happy interlude together on Cyprus until he was sent to Italy, where he remained until the end of the War. He returned to the family business, which increased to an excellent position, mainly due to his efforts. Their marriage was happy from the start, and they had three children, all, according to him, well-adjusted.

Ever since his marriage, he had wondered how his wife could have had any feelings towards James (the other man). However, he