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In this article, I intend to describe some aspects of the interaction between patient and analyst in the treatment of a deprived child, and show how the analyst became available as a new object for the patient. The child internalised the analytic relation and analytic functions as part of a primary relation.*
The process of internalisation took place in two distinct stages. Firstly, functions of a primary holding object were internalised. This development could be observed through the somatic changes, the changes in ways of relating and the creation of a transitional object. Secondly, functions of a stable, primary object were internalised, accompanied by the internalisation of the transitional object. This development was succeeded by a relief from anxiety and depression, by feelings of richness and gratitude and the unfolding and development of ego capacities.
Aspects of these observations will be elucidated and discussed theoretically at the end of the article.
Linn was referred to psychoanalysis because she suffered from nightmares. Besides, she itched and scratched herself all over. She had a feeling that the room would collapse around her on account of something she was doing. She had been placed with foster parents, and acted provocatively