and would reconcile with her to his feeling that she was a "mean, vicious, destructive - out to annihilate me". He cried when talking about the final dissolution of the relationship - she will not see him at all and since early September, has not allowed her to see their sons. When I remarked about his sadness, he said it was worse than death. When someone dies, the loss is final, but as it is, he is preoccupied day and night with thoughts of Maura. He can't sleep well, has night sweats, lost twenty five pounds. Mr. M. also has unresolved feelings about his unsatisfactory first marriage and the fact that he provides financial support of his wife and their daughter for many years. He described his intense anger about the "other man" in Maura's life. He described fantasies of blinding the man by throwing acid in his eyes. Only recently did he come to realize this man's existence, and he attributes Maura's refusal of marriage (which he had originally wanted very much) is due to the presence of the other man. Until about three months ago she continued to have sexual relations with Mr. M., but now he thinks this was just a form of "pregnancy insurance". He had been "spying" on Maura's apartment and neighborhood trying to identify his rival. As he was leaving, he commented that the really bad time of year for him was approaching; even without his present problems he had always dreaded the bleakness and cold of winter. Mr. M. does not have physical problems that interfere with his daily functioning.
             Mr. M. described himself as having felt somewhat depressed for about two years, a condition that had become more severe during the two months preceding the first appointment, reported some suicidal ideation, but was not considered a grave suicidal risk. Some of Mr. M.'s presenting problems, such as lack of sleep, night sweats and weight loss, began directly after his split with Maura this past summer. He described hi...