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Trad presents a case history of Alex, who was three years four months of age when he entered into a three-year-long treatment. Alex was referred by his school because of aggressive outbursts, self-destructive thoughts, and withdrawn states. He expressed fantasies about using a knife to cut his belly. There were fantasies about running to a window and perhaps jumping out of the window. Trad describes Alex's family as very disturbed, manifesting problems with anger and depression. The author does not make clear the exact format of the treatment. Apparently, Trad treated Alex individually two or three times a week and also met with "the family." The author refers to his treatment as not psychoanalytic but eclectic. I had the impression that the treatment at times involved meeting with and perhaps treating the mother individually, at times meeting with the mother and father together, and at times meeting with the mother and Alex together. The case is presented strictly from a psychological standpoint.
The author starts with Alex's life history. He gives a picture of a very dysfunctional family. Both parents struggled with powerful angry feelings. As an example, after father left the family home, he returned to burn the family photographs. Mother and Alex came home to find the ashes. The description of the treatment process is quite interesting. At times, Trad offers very detailed material from sessions with Alex. Courageously, Trad even presents one of his own dreams, which occurred during his treatment of Alex. In the dream, Trad awakens in bed and realizes that Alex is in great danger. On a rainy night Trad races to Alex's home after failing to reach Alex by phone. When he arrives, Trad discovers mother's very seductive behavior. Trad sees Alex hiding while mother denies Alex's presence, but alludes to the presence of a male lover. He offers ideas on how this dream helped him better understand Alex. In this early section of the book, the author of