Abstract
Selflessness is a central character trait of the health-provider patient, or caretaker patient. A psychiatric nurse, a physician, and a psychotherapist are illustrative cases presented. These patients deny their emotional needs in deference to the needs of others. Needing to be needed (counterdependency), approval-seeking, being preoccupied with recognition from significant others, and the suppression of anger are ways in which this patient functions. Ultimately, this splitting-off defense manifests in feelings of deprivation, isolation, and depression. In addition, there are ongoing complaints of emotional and physical exhaustion. Early, middle, and later phases of the (analytic-oriented) treatment of these patients is demonstrated.
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