[Negative image of the self and of the other; the two-pronged approach in affect phobia therapy].

A negative self-image is a well-known symptom in many psychiatric disorders. Many treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy (PD), are therefore used. CBT focuses on the self-image, while PD works with the self-image and the image of the other.

[Psychotherapeutic knowledge and skills: essential in working as a psychiatrist].

Psychotherapeutic skills are essential elements in the daily work of psychiatrists. This article aims to bring attention to the psychotherapeutic competences described in the new training program for psychiatrists in the Netherlands. To illustrate the competences, two clinical cases are presented in which the psychiatrist executes psychotherapeutic skills to be effective in diagnosis and treatment.

[The patient with a personality disorder and the mentalizing capacity of the psychiatrist].

Contact with patients with a personality disorder can be difficult due to the complicated relationship between them and the psychiatrist. Psychodynamic characteristics of the patient seem to influence this process, such as the use of primitive defence mechanisms and a moderately developed mentalizing capacity. These might temporarily disrupt the mentalizing capacity of the psychiatrist, diminishing the psychiatrist's ability to solve problems in the therapeutic relationship.

Sensory and motor neuropathy caused by excessive ingestion of vitamin B6: a case report.

We describe a patient who developed a severe sensory and a mild motor neuropathy. This syndrome was due to massive and prolonged ingestion of vitamin B6 (10 g daily for 5 years). To our knowledge this is the first published case of motor neuropathy caused by chronic abuse of vitamin B6.