Success or failure in reducing depends among other factors, on the meaning of wt. reduction for the patient. To the adequately adjusted overweight person it is a rational task with the main goal of losing wt. Even then it is not easy and simple and many patients need support and supervision. To the emotionally disturbed obese person wt. reduction has an irrational meaning, namely, that of fulfilling exaggerated daydreams of success and achievement. For such people reducing cannot be considered a harmless procedure. If rigidly enforced it may precipitate serious mental disturbance, even psychosis. Wt. reduction should be preceded by a corrective appraisal of the aspiration level.