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This is the story of an unusual episode in psychoanalytic history. Opportunity for the study of such incidents is infrequent. The prominence of the individuals concerned in the present instance makes the matter interesting, important and sad.
Older psychoanalysts will remember the name of Sabina Spielrein, whose writings in the early part of the 20th century were worthy of note. Her life history had unfortunate complications. The recent discovery of her diary and correspondence, together with the courageous and sympathetic preparations for their publication, throws much light on her unusual experiences. The author dwells on the issue of whether these writings, certainly not recorded for publication, should have remained undisclosed. He concludes, “Any fact, any piece of information that can better illuminate … contributions to science should be known and made known.” Well, maybe. Who profits from publicizing the human errors and weaknesses of great people, especially if their subsequent reparative efforts cannot also become common knowledge?
Sabina Spielrein, the daughter of a wealthy Russian Jewish family, arrived in Zurich at the age of 20, seeking treatment for a psychiatric disorder. She spent the better part of a year in the Burghölzli hospital under the care of Carl Jung, whose treatment continued after her discharge. They were enamored of the similarity in their styles of thought. Jung told her she had the type of mind that contributed to scientific advance, and that she ought to become a psychiatrist. She took his advice, getting her M.D. degree in Zurich and becoming a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.
When analysts and patients admire each other's thinking a great deal, it may be the warning signal of an impending countertransference. It can herald the analyst's departure from his proper role. In any event, Spielrein and Jung fell in love with each other and both suffered for it. Jung was married and Spielrein felt that it was a letter from Emma Jung that infor