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The case that I will present has been overall a success, but there were many occasions in the course of the analysis when I had serious doubts about the possibility of further work. I would say that it was almost as if the entire analysis took place under the threat of Damocles' sword of termination. With Mr. K, I often experienced concern about preserving the frame of the analytic setting and how to keep him long enough to accomplish some important analytic work. He ended up staying in treatment for a good stretch of seven years, and I even had occasion for some follow-up.
This is the report of a seven-year analysis of Mr. K, a businessman in his early forties presenting with depression, a recent episode of colitis, marital conflict, and severe procrastination. The analysis has been marked by the gradual discovery of substantial sexual overstimulation in childhood and adolescence. As this has been analyzed, it has proved to have had a wide impact on his character formation, defenses, and symptoms.
From the time I heard of this case, there were some worrisome questions about Mr. K's analyzability. He had a psychosomatic condition that sometimes correlates with greater psychopathology and with difficulty in being aware of one's feelings. I also hesitated about taking him on because of events with his previous therapist, Dr. R. Mr. K had developed a powerful erotized negative transference toward Dr. R, and had terminated his therapy rather abruptly. Thus, I was aware of the potential danger of premature termination, as well as concerned about possible negative therapeutic reactions, especially