Und wo bleibt der Dank!

The childhood and adolescent years of Elisabeth Walsum were shaped by the consequences of her parents' divorce. She compensated the absence of appreciation and love by developing an overwhelming determination to succeed and to reach her goals. She first established a middle-class life that gave her a measure of acceptance; life as a mother and homemaker with its daily chores, then as a teacher and political activist, occupied her time. Yet she devoted too little time to her own needs, constantly stepping back in order to serve important themes or other persons. Her many activities failed to provide her with the self-assurance and self-esteem she needed. To the question "Who am I?" Elisabeth Walsum had only superficial answers. Mental breakdowns with long periods of convulsive sobbing overcame and confused her and had to be hidden from her environment. She then sought the help of a psychotherapist, who diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorders. Her individual therapy, in which dreams and literature played major roles, lasted a total of three years. She then began to keep a journal of her dreams and to interpret these dreams. Working through every single dream represented personal therapy sessions for her, after which she felt mentally and physically healed: Her back and neck problems have now disappeared.