Depressive Disorders, Masochism and Suicidale Crises

The disorder-specific psychodrama therapy of depressive disorders develops the patient’s self with the help of psychodramatic dialogue with role reversal and, if necessary, works directly metacognitively on his masochistic self-censorship. The seven steps of psychodramatic dialogue described in this chapter are a central method of disorder-specific psychodrama therapy. In an inner conflict, they shape both the inner self-image and the object image in the as-if mode. As a result, the patient becomes more courageous and realistic in his relationship conflicts. Without realizing it, he spontaneously changes his own behavior in everyday life, when he has psychosomatically expanded his inner object image of his conflict partner by acting as-if in a role reversal. As a theory-based action method, the psychodramatic dialogue with role reversal complements the disorder-specific approach to depression in depth psychological, behavioral and systemic psychotherapy. The psychosomatic level of psychodramatic action in the as-if mode helps to dissolve the blockage of self-development even in the case of severe depression bordering on psychosis as well as in suicidal crises.