Ending analysis

Today I want to discuss the ending of the analysis of a patient which took place about 18 months ago. She had assumed, correctly, that she was one of my last analytic patients and that this meant that the ending would have particular resonance not only for her but for me as I would be facing the ending of my actual analytic career. In this she was of course right, and I hope to discuss some of the implications later.

Ordinarily we take for granted that as we approach termination, old forms of behaviour, old problems tend to recur, though we hope in a more modified form. What I am particularly interested to discuss in this case is the emergence of basically near-psychotic behaviour, anxiety and defences stirred by the ending. This enabled us to get more understanding of the relationship between the near-psychotic functioning and the rigid character structure that for so long dominated the analysis, as well as to gain more idea about the role played by her actual family experiences in building her personality.

Mrs T, a teacher with a highly responsible position, came to analysis in her late 30s. The treatment lasted for 10 years (during which time she had been gravely ill in a period roughly coinciding with, but extending beyond, one summer holiday break, and later I had been away ill for most of one term).

Throughout the early years of the analysis I was struck by the contrast between her constant lateness and yet her otherwise apparent easy compliance. She talked fairly readily and almost any interpretation was apparently accepted, but the talking seemed superficial, often almost chatting, and my interpretations often seemed to me almost facile and superficial and not to take us much further, though my patient seemed quite satisfied. Although in the analysis Mrs T seemed a pleasant, friendly, easy person, I began to hear about her getting caught up in situations at work and at home where there were rows, difficulties; she seemed to become disliked and seen as troubleso