Suffering in sympathy with the psychic difficulties of the sick
To Helene Kiener
Dear Fraulein Kiener, 6 December 1935
Suffering in sympathy with the psychic difficulties of the sick is a peculiarity which none escapes who has to do with such people.
It is a well-known childhood ailment.
In the beginning it is very exhausting and burdensome.
When I started analyzing I could usually endure only two cases a day because it was too much of a strain for me.
This apparent weakness disappears with time and practice.
Only, at the beginning one must not overexert oneself, otherwise one becomes discouraged and disappointed.
It is advisable to use all the available time to recover by doing something quite different.
In this way you accustom yourself to change round quickly and to concentrate only on the hours you spend with the sick person.
May you have patience and sufficient instinct to learn to overcome as soon as possible the infection that emanates from every sick psyche.
Best thanks for your a posteriori birthday wishes.
With kindest regards,
Yours sincerely,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Page 204.
