Abstract
Aim. The course of mental disorders is often considerably affected by the circumstances of the patients' treatment and by their experiences in this process. Review. A case history is reported of a patient in whom diagnostic errors uncorrected for a long time, the therapists' anxiety-laden and unfriendly attitude, and a very schematic treatment resulted in a most unfavourable course of his mental disorders, the patient's hospitalisation for several years, and a severe impairment of his social functioning. An altered perspective and management have allowed to reverse the unfavourable course of events in this case.
Comments. The reported case exemplifies negative consequences of cognitive stereotypes and stigmatization in the process of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. The necessity of avoiding such stereotypes and prejudices is emphasized by the authors.