DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES................................................................. When it comes to bridge-playing clients, I have never come across any as pathetic and weak as those who suffer from DEFOETAL NONTRITUS. This disorder is the manifestation of the "weakling child " that Jung claims we all possess within our psyches. It is one of our inner selves, an integral part of us, which we all must learn to recognise, accept..... and eventually confront during some stage of our adult life. Often the manifestation occurs when adults experience fear or extreme anxiety. The child suddenly emerges as the chosen-self, best able to deal with the situation. In the case of some bridge players their regression into a child-like state occurs whenever they find themselves in a dire and hopeless situation at the end of an auction. Either the contract appears too difficult for them to make, or that the penalty double ( by their opponents ) looks more than likely to cause some serious damage. For them the proverbial roof falls in, given the weight of partner's over-optimistic expectations, and over-powering wrath. As a result, the inner child appears, and they can do nothing to confront or reject this side of themselves. Those seriously afflicted with this disorder immediately succumb to petulant and infantile behaviour. All too often, they throw in the towel, before curling up in their seat in the foetal position. Inevitably, the contract is woefully played out with an air of wimpish defeatism. By not trying, the outcome becomes even more of an horrendous result, which in then the trigger for a full scale tantrum. Now, their child-like instincts are solely focused on self-preservation, which require partners not only to protect them, but to take responsibility for their plight. Soft-soothing words are the only ones which have any chance of calm them down. These must also be coupled with apologies, where partner must elect to take the blame for the disastrous outcome. Indeed, when it comes to dealing with a fragile,delicate, and very distressed little child, partners are compelled to put aside their anger and frustration ......and offer love, forgiveness and comfort instead.