The reading behaviour of patients suffering from mental illnesses was investigated prior to and in the course of a phase of illness. Three groups of patients (depressive illnesses, schizophrenic illnesses and one heterogeneous group of patients) were included. As to the choice of fiction and non-fiction, the wide range of selected books was striking. It was found that patients of all diagnostic groups read less than usual during the phase of illness. Many patients looked upon reading during the phase of illness positively or rather regarded it as a possible support for therapy. Almost half of the patients considered the reading of books as being helpful in handling their illness. Certain topics, however, were experienced as being disadvantageous with regard to the illness. It can be postulated that the patients can profit from a bibliotherapy as well as from a selective guidance by a therapist concerning the choice of literature.
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The reading behaviour of patients suffering from mental illnesses was investigated prior to and in the course of a phase of illness. Three groups of patients (depressive illnesses, schizophrenic illnesses and one heterogeneous group of patients) were included. As to the choice of fiction and non-fiction, the wide range of selected books was striking. It was found that patients of all diagnostic groups read less than usual during the phase of illness. Many patients looked upon reading during the...
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