The so-called “crock” is a familiar and difficult patient for physicians to treat. This paper presents, through case illustration, one example of the treatment and course of such patients and describes characteristics commonly observed in them. Attention is drawn to the depressive and masochistic features of the “crock” and how his tendency to abortively utilize symptoms and complaints evokes interest and concern in others. Parallels are drawn between Freud's description of “negative therapeutic reaction” and characteristics of the “crock,” and practical suggestions are offered for the early recognition and treatment of these people.
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