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Patients who complain of destructive urges, fears of loss of control and of injuring others, of repetitive outbursts, or violent seizures are diagnosed as having impulse character disorders, or as being borderline individuals with paranoid or psychopathic features. Frequently they come from lower socioeconomic strata, have experienced emotional deprivation, unstable job and marital histories, sexual dysfunction, and clashes with the law. Use of drugs and alcohol, ownership of weapons, and reckless driving contribute to their potential for harm.
A group of five such patients met weekly for an hour around a large table and in the presence of two psychiatrists. This arrangement was planned to establish an atmosphere of control. In addition, all patients received tranquilizers or anticonvulsive medication. Verbal rather than psychical expression of feeling was encouraged. It was often necessary to urge regular attendance, especially after such threatening issues as attitudes about homosexuality or childhood experiences had been mentioned, or unwonted intimacies had developed. Characteristic was the members' fear of a show of emotion as unmanly. Anger