Dieckmann, H. (Berlin). ‘Das Lieblingsmärchen der Kindheit und seine Beziehung zu Neurose and Persönlichkeitsstruktur’ (‘The favourite fairytale of one's childhood in relation to neurosis and personality structure’).  Prax. Kinderpsychol.,  16,  6 (1967).

Three cases chosen by Dieckmann, out of 35 similar ones found by him within his practice, to illustrate how closely the themes of the patient's favourite remembered, or recalled, fairy tale parallel the dynamics of the later personality or illness. He shows in full and interesting clinical detail that the connections can often be used to further therapeutic insight.

He also warns that such a remembered story has to emerge spontaneously and not be elicited, thus appearing appropriately during the course of the analysis. Such tales often contain not only the dynamics of the origins of the illness but also indications of ways to resolve it. Dieckmann asks himself whether this frequent phenomenon can be explained by a regression forced by an emotional crisis to earlier childlike states where mythological images can be revived containing possibilities for healthier development. Or whether there was from the start an ego identification with a mythologem so that through a process of identification and projection certain life situations ensue. This he points out would indicate what would have to be called a neurotic arrangement. An interesting, lively paper, full of valuable clinical suggestions.