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The « anorexic retreat » as a pathological organization
In this paper a specific form of resistance is described: a resistance to growth and development in general and to the psychoanalytic process in particular. This is based on a phenomenon that is described in psychoanalytic literature as a pathological organization; an organized structure of fantasies, fears and defences that exists in split-off form in addition to a part of the self that is more or less ordinary to the external reality. The anorexic inner world, as mentioned by Marylyn Lawrence, is described in this paper as a specific pathological organization. The phenomenon anorexic mind is integrated with the image of a psychic retreat described by Steiner. Some technical recommendations are given for the analysis of this specific form of psychopathology, with an explanation for the length of time needed in treatment.