In some patients the distortion of the body image becomes the focal point of the psychotic transformation. The body image can be studied from three different points of view: (1) as a body schema, or a neurological engram; (2) as a percept, or, in a more general way, as an experience; (3) as a concept, which is altered by the delusional ideation or at least by the psychodynamic conflict of the patient.

In the presence of a schizophrenic disorder the therapist’s first duty is to choose the type of treatment. Each therapist must learn to counterbalance his own biases in order to evaluate properly each individual case.

The concept of schizophrenia is useful and should be retained when applied to a particular psychological dysfunction of the human being that manifests itself in many varieties. The disability is real, and in almost all cases painful and harmful. The dysfunction can therefore be included in the medical model, provided this model is enlarged to comprehend those biological functions that are called psychological and are partially related to the social environment.

No psychiatrist can ignore individual psychotherapy of schizophrenia, nor can he escape practicing psychotherapy with schizophrenics even if he is inclined to do so.

Arieti describes psychotherapy of schizophrenic patients as he practiced it.

Although psychodynamic interpretations are much better known, interpretations concerning mechanisms and forms are also important, especially at an early phase of treatment.

Psychodynamic analysis of the schizophrenic consists of interpreting to the patient his past and present life. He is helped to become aware of his unconscious motivation and to acquire insight into the origin and development of the psychological components of his disorder.

The treatment of the schizophrenic cannot consist only of the sessions, but an active participation in his life is necessary, as many authors have reported. The patient needs to feel that many events in his life are shared by the therapist.