DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES : THE JOB COMPLEX

This complex is most unusual in that the majority of its victim's "cure" themselves, by undergoing a self-induced personality change. However, it is necessary to review the biblical story of Job in an attempt to explain what this disorder is all about.

Job was a good man who took up a crude form of bridge, which was popular in pre-Christ days with the rich and the well-off. He was a fair, courteous, sporting and polite player, who would always make the perfect partner. Other players saw him as a man without fault, utterly charming, generous in defeat....................a person who played the game in accordance with its laws, the highest ethical standards, and in a real spirit of goodwill and social harmony.

But unknown to Job, God and Devil made a bet where he became the unsuspecting victim of a cruel and vindictive test. Could Job remain upright, faultless, and true to his principles if he was condemned to losing every time he played a game of bridge, irrespective of who he played with and who he played against. His losing streak would owe much to the unscrupulous antics of cheating opponents, and biased TDs. Reeling under the onslaught of highly questionable goings-on, unethical practices, and outrageous behaviour, Job's tolerance and acceptance of his persecutors was put to the severest of tests. Not surprisingly he lost it, turning angrily upon his tormentors. The Devil had won his bet, especially when Job turned on God for letting him suffer in this way. At this point God thundered at Job, whereupon he elected to change sides. For now on he was happy to surrender to the Devil's own mantra " if you can't beat them then join them" .

Indeed, victims of the Job Complex are in fact victims of an acute persecution complex, but for one or two major differences. Firstly, this disorder causes bridge players to feel so bad about their poor results and lack of luck, that they feel it necessary to undergo a complete and permanent personality change.....to break that crucifying losing streak. Moreover, the disorder only seems to affect those who were originally perceived as "good players". Why it should only affect honest and decent players no-one really knows, but one thing is for sure.....................the Job Complex completely transforms its victims into " bad-uns".

Inevitably, this self-induced cure always leads to a return to the good results of old, justifying their decision to turn their back on honest principles and respectable behaviour. The desire to escape from a never-ending sequence of bottoms, abuse and humiliation becomes all too irresistible.

( Footnote: It has been noted by other eminent psycho-analysts that self-cured victims of the Job Complex are often seen huddled together at the end of a bridge event reminiscing about their successes , all of which were the result of wicked and unscrupulous antics. This phenomenon led to one observer to remark " now that's what I call a right Job lot ". )