Malignant Narcissism: from fairy tales to harsh reality.

Introduction: Malignant Narcissism has been recognized as a serious condition but it has been largely ignored in psychiatric literature and research. In order to bring this subject to the attention of mental health professionals, this paper presents a contemporary synthesis of the biopsychosocial dynamics and recommendations for treatment of Malignant Narcissism.

Methods: We reviewed the literature on Malignant Narcissism which was sparse.

The existential way to recovery.

This paper explores the essential features of recovery and the need for an existential approach in psychiatry. The biopsychosocial model often fails to sufficiently validate the existential suffering of patients. We review the major principles of recovery and the philosophical and psychiatric principles of existentialism.

Early intervention in first episode psychosis: hope for a better future.

In the last two decades the clinical and research focus in psychotic disorders has shifted to first episode psychosis, early detection of the prodromal phase of psychosis and an effective integrated treatment model known as "Early Intervention". The first five years of psychosis that is described as a "critical period" is the most important time for recognition and treatment. Services for Early Intervention should be easily accessible, non-threatening and non-stigmatising.

Bipolar disorder: from psychoeducational to existential group therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the importance of addressing psychoeducational and existential issues in group therapy for patients with bipolar disorder.

Method: The group consisted of 10 bipolar patients. Group sessions were held for 2 hours weekly for 3 months and then monthly up to 2 years.

A psychiatrist in cultural transition: personal and professional dilemmas.

This article describes the author's personal and professional dilemmas, encountered as a psychiatrist in the process of migration from Central Europe to New Zealand. The dilemmas include: (i) personal experiences in the stages of migration, (ii) struggles within the author's own multi-ethnic community, (iii) biculturalism, (iv) the unexpected seriousness of psychopathology, and (v) the tendency for overidentification. Professionals in a cultural transition should be aware that personal and professional challenges are interconnected.