Bizarre Thoughts

The doctor asked, “Any bizarre thoughts occurred to you?” Mr. Trexler, the patient, had many since age two. However, as he would mention with hesitation, “Bizarre” was the psychiatrist’s reiteration. The patient noticed the analyst’s keen scrutiny. Despite all the thoughts, there was no spontaneity. He felt pressured to produce answers in a hurry Trexler’s mull would be, “How about the rhesus monkey?” This patient had realized the doctor’s time was short. He wondered which item might elicit a retort. The Madison Avenue bus incident would stall any possible response from the patient at all. Mr. Trexler responded to the doctor’s question. “No bizarre ones” he said with some slight inhibition. This patient’s session dragged on for twenty minutes more. At the end, the psychiatrist let him know the score. “You’re scared,” said the doctor. “Do you want to know what for? You have pushed your chair away from me across the floor. Moving back a few inches is an indication that you are overcome with a slight trepidation.” They shook hands as the patient showed a mendacious grin. As Mr. Trexler left, the next patient entered in. A previous experience would pass in review: This was riding the bus on Madison Avenue. A week later, Trexler was back in the patient’s chair. For many weeks thereafter, he would find himself there. He began each session with thick vapors in his mind. Other physiological symptoms he would find. This man harbored neurotic feelings of the worst kind. They were all too common and each rendered him resigned. The doctor asked, “Have you found something giving relief?” Trexler replied, “Yes, a drink” was his answer quite brief. The patient saw each time had almost no difference. He would soon assume psychological transference. By placing himself within the psychiatrist’s stance, Mr. Trexler soon discovered pattern resemblance. This proved to be nothing new to this doctor’s patient. Vicarious events came from things that were latent. Trexler might see himself in other occupations as a barber, cab driver, or priest with oblations. To be continued