Abstract · We all face similar crises in our lives. The means available for overcoming a crisis depend on one’s personality, their closer and wider environment, the quality of their relationships and the condition of society as a whole. The experience of loss or grief can mean such normative crises. As I work with addicts’ family members and mourners I can see plenty of examples for this in my work. The volume of individual, family-related and social psycho-trauma, the series of unprocessed losses and their effects on the high number of addicts can be clearly seen in my systematic work with families. In my study I give an overview of potential causes and risk factors of addiction on an individual level, on the level of the family and wider environment, underlying the development of substance abuse. The necessary and potential losses leading to a low point and accompanying recovery will be discussed as it is important to deal with them as a helper. A possibility based on traditional culture and enriching support work will be presented at the end, a possibility that can be easily adopted today.

Abstract · Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) as a complementary therapeutic pathway can be used in end-of-life care. This research project focuses on therapy dogs. We examined the opportunities and effects of AAI not only on patients but also on their relatives and members of the medical team. After performing a systematic review of previous studies, we conducted medical anthropological fieldwork between Nov. 2016 and Apr. 2019 at institutes of the Hungarian Hospice Foundation, the Tabitha Hospice House for Children and Young Adults, and the Hospice Unit of the Dél-pesti Central Hospital. In special cases, therapy dogs serve as icebreakers for communication. AAI in palliative care has positive emotional, tranquilizing, and energizing effects. It helps patients who have difficulties with communication to connect with others and to make a ’life balance’. We also found that AAI has positive effects on the staff who provide hospice care, especially on their mental well-being.

Abstract · In my essay-study, on the basis of Henrik Ibsen’s drama, Peer Gynt, I would like to present the existential-psychological phenomenon what decision, choice, and commitment might mean in a person’s life and how it fits into the course of life and the fate of that person. The imperative ‘Be yourself’ is expressed several times in the drama, implying a philosophical background as well. I use Martin Heidegger’s notions of Existence-towards-death, Being-oneself, and Anyone-self when analysing the main character’s course of life, and from this perspective I present two reciprocal life-destinies described by Ibsen in his aforementioned drama. At the same time, I tangentially present two other creative lives, those of the philosopher, Kierkegaard and of the writer, Ibsen, since the philosopher’s effect on the writer is clearly visible. On the other hand, Ibsen contrasts philosophy with life, thus pointing out the deficiencies in Kierkegaard’s philosophy. Heidegger extends Kierkegaard’s thinking and partially answers the questions it arises. Dasein's analytical psychotherapy, which developed from Heidegger’s thoughts, needs to confront philosophy on the basis of mental hygiene.