Case Study of Crohn's Disease with "Gestalt"

A patient who had suffered from loose stools for 15 years and whose condition aggravated during the last years was diagnosed as Crohn's disease with additional lactose intolerance. Diagnosis by the means of traditional Chinese medicine revealed an additional "gestalt" of inhibited anger and fear, which is seen more often in cases of ulcerative colitis. This condition made it necessary to combine acupuncture with psychotherapy. The patient responded very well. After 4 months of therapy his Crohn's disease was characterized as inactive. After 12 therapies within one year the patient is more or less free of symptoms. The author discusses this success as an outcome of the emotio-somatic view of traditional Chinese medicine. This view makes it possible to characterize the patient in his "gestalt". The combination of acupuncture and psychotherapy enabled the patient to change his behaviour.