You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Psychoanalytic Dialogues 8(4): 459-491, 1998
Symposium on the British Independents
The author describes the psychoanalysis of a female patient who was diagnosed psychiatrically as a paranoid psychotic. The patient reported a history of chronic sexual abuse. The psychopathology and the phases of treatment are considered, with particular reference to the dynamics and content of psychotic ideation and their transference and countertransference implications. In particular, the author points to the qualitative distinctiveness of psychotic thought, which, if mistaken for nonpsychotic thought, can generate confusion leading to impasse. Differentiation of the two levels of mentation and interpretation of their symbolic meaning in the nonpsychotic transference is necessary for the psychotherapy of psychosis to proceed.
With commentaries in the same issue:
Margaret Black (New York): ‘Fracturing drive or fracturing connections - relational considerations’, pp. 493-500
Harold Stewart (London): ‘Commentary on paper by Paul Williams’, pp. 501-506
Ann-Louise S. Silver (Rockville, MD): ‘Psychotic questing for heroism’, pp. 507-512
Arthur Hyatt Williams (London): ‘Commentary on paper by Paul Williams’, pp. 513-518
John Muller (Stockbridge, MA): ‘Psychosis and the other’, pp. 519-526
Mary Twyman (London): ‘When feeling is unbearable’, pp. 527-530