DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES.......................... Over the past few years, I have unearthed many distressing psychological conditions and afflictions that bridge players ultimately develop over time. This particular condition is one that has disturbed me the most. It quickly develops into a behavioural trait that is so awful, many on-lookers have turned to God, pleading and begging that He ....... with his infinite power........... can compell the sufferers to carry out their own suicide ,or sign up to a voluntary euthansia clinic. INFLA TEDEGO: The latin name for this condition derives from a form of mental blindness, whereby sufferers display a disturbing inability to see themselves as they really are. Once this affliction gets well established, these poor but over-bearing victims begin to believe their status and ability as a bridge player is way beyond the reality of the situation. Despite failing to win any trophy or event of any kind, promotion up the EBU rankings tends to be the triggering factor. Each successive promotion is translated by them as evidence of improved ability. The status of becoming even a regional master goes straight to their head. The self-delusion becomes irreversible should such any of the sufferers fluke a success somewhere......or be asked to play in a team of higher ranking players. When the affliction becomes extremely acute, victims develop a level of vanity which manifests itself into extreme distorted thinking. For instance, they adopt the blinkered view that if anything has gone wrong at the table, it was clearly down to their partners' lack of ability and experience. They firmly believe only they can detect the errors made.....and which only they can correct........ with their expert on-the-spot analysis and coaching. Their egos become so immense, every statement they made begins with the word "I". As their heads grow, so does their ability to transfer blame onto others, when they themselves were clearly at fault. Moreover, victims of infla tedego remain utterly oblivious to the nausea, sickness and pain others will inevitable experience in their presence.