[Patients break off analytic treatment].

This investigation is concerned with 61 patients who discontinued analytic single or group therapy. Only 19 patients appeared for a catamnestic interview. Tendentially, patients who discontinue single therapy possess rather an overly compensatory depressive attitudinal structure which at first, by quick establishment of contacts, encourages cooperation. Later on therapist and patient seem to fear a collapse of this attitude. In those who discontinue group therapy a rather depressive inhibitory structure seems to predominate. By the display of externalizing tendencies they hope for a change produced by influences from outside and they withdraw when they feel disappointed in such hopes.