Preface

In presenting the following case-history, I have several aims in view. I wish first of all to illustrate my technique in greater detail than I have done formerly. The extensive notes I made enable the reader to observe how interpretations find confirmation in the material following them. The day-to-day movement in the analysis, and the continuity running through it, thus become perceptible. Furthermore, the details of this analysis clarify and support my concepts. The reader will find all my comments about theory and technique at the end of each session.

In The Psycho-Analysis of Children I was only able to give extracts of my observations and interpretations; and since in that book I was mainly concerned with putting forward a number of hypotheses regarding previously undiscovered anxiety contents and defences, I could not give at the time an all-round picture of my technique; in particular, the fact that I made consistent use of transference interpretations was not sufficiently evident. However, in my view the main principles put forward in The Psycho-Analysis of Children remain valid.

Though the analysis I am describing here lasted only ninety-three sessions, extending over about four months, the unusual cooperativeness of the child enabled me to penetrate to great depths.

I took fairly extensive notes, but I could of course not always be sure of the sequence, nor quote literally the patient's associations and my interpretations. This difficulty is one of a general nature in reporting on case material. To give verbatim accounts could only be done if the analyst were to take notes during the session; this would disturb the patient considerably and break the unhindered flow of associations, as well as divert the analyst's attention from the course of the analysis. Another possibility of obtaining literal accounts is the use of a recording machine, either visible or hidden—a measure which, in my view, is absolutely against the fundamental principles on which psycho-ana