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Alexandra Adler (24 September 1901 – 4 January 2001) was an Austrian neurology and the daughter of psychoanalyst Alfred Adler and Raissa Adler. She has been described as one of the "leading systematizers and interpreters" of Adlerian psychology. Her sister was Socialism activist Valentine Adler. Alexandra Adler's husband was Halfdan Gregersen.Saxon, W. (2001, Jan 12). Dr. alexandra adler, 99, expert on traumas to brain. New York Times (1923-Current File)
In 1937, Adler conducted a study along with the Harvard neurosurgeon Tracy Putnam. The study was conducted on the brain of a patient with multiple sclerosis, resulting in new information on how the disease affected the human body. Illustrations from the study are frequently used in medical literature.
In 1943, Adler studied survivors of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire of 1942. The study found that 50% of the survivors still experienced trauma and disturbances a year after the accident. These symptoms included changes in personality such as lack of sleep, anxiety, guilt and fears of the event. After observations and following up 46 patients of the acute stage, it was found that survivors were only recognizing parts of what happened. It was theorized that this was due to the stress or a possible lesion in the brain due to carbon monoxide exposure. Adler became one of the first neurologists to create a detailed documentation of what is known as post-traumatic stress disorder. Her findings allowed her to apply what she discovered to work with treatment for World War II Veterans, who potentially had PTSD.
In the 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Adler continued her father's work of Adlerian psychology for possible treatments for schizophrenia, neuroses, and personality disorders. She believed this could be done through modern drug treatment, group therapy, and the existentialist and religious psychotherapies.
She lived till the age of 99. She died on January 4, 2001, in New York City.
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