Abstracts from other Journals

 The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, Volume  69, Part 4, 1988↗

John Frosch

The clinical syndrome designated by the diagnostic term borderline exists. However, the diagnosis borderline as such gives no clue about the clinical or psychodynamic feature in this syndrome. Furthermore, the use of the concept borderline by its very vagueness and diffuseness deprives us of a means of understanding these conditions clinically and dynamically. It thereby makes it more difficult to treat these patients with appropriate understanding. I therefore believe it should be abandoned. The diagnosis psychotic character has previously been proposed by the author for this syndrome. It relates more appropriately to the clinical and psychodynamic features and is more consonant with an understanding of the syndrome. The diagnosis suggests, among other frames of reference, the underlying psychotic process which typifies these patients. It provides frames of reference which facilitate understanding of these conditions psychodynamically and genetically. Out of this understanding a more meaningful therapeutic approach may evolve. We therefore feel that the term and concept borderline should be abandoned.

 The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, Volume  69, Part 4, 1988↗

Termination Reconsidered

Jonathan R. Pedder

The concept of termination is reviewed and reconsidered. It is suggested that the expression itself is a curiously inappropriate term with its negative and finite connotations which fail to convey the positive hopes for a new beginning that normally surround the end of a satisfactory analysis. The single word termination does not distinguish the external reality of interruption of visits to the analyst from the internal continuation of the analytic process. Moreover, it ignores the awkward circumstance that analysts on qualification often continue to meet their own analyst. Maybe termination remains the appropriate word for a forced or premature