Abstract
A case is discussed of an eleven-year-old “schizophrenic” male who had made a conscious decision several years earlier to act crazy to keep his parents from fighting and divorcing. A relabeling of his “crazy” behavior as that of a “family hero” was a first step in releasing him from marital difficulties and beginning to return him to a “normal” life.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Byng-Hall, J. Symptom bearer as marital distance regulator: Clinical implications.Family Process, 1980,19, 355–365.
Haley, J.Problem solving therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1976.
Madanes, C. Protection, paradox and pretending.Family Process, 1980,19, 73–85.
Minuchin, S.Families and family therapy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1974.
Palazzoli, S.M., Ceccin, G.F., Prata, G., & Boscolo, L.S.:Paradox and counterparadox. New York: Jason Aronson, 1978.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McHolland, J.D. Chris: The “crazy” kid as a family hero. International Journal of Family Therapy 4, 114–122 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00924521
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00924521